Tech Tug-of-War: France – India AI ties and the strategic calculus for Pakistan

Khushboo Farid Khan Ghouri
Last month, world leaders gathered in France for the Paris Global AI Summit, co-hosted by India. This two-day summit brought together global leadership, tech giants, policymakers, and industry experts to discuss the future of AI. Topics included how to regulate AI, the necessary investments, and how AI could be applied across various sectors. The summit took place in the middle of the deep seek mania and growing global interest in AI, highlighting the significance of AI geopolitics, particularly in the context of India-France relations. France views India as its most important partner in Asia, a partnership with serious strategic implications for Pakistan.
Pakistan’s absence from crucial events like the Paris Global AI Summit and others, which hold immense relevance both regionally and globally, underscores the country’s growing disconnect from rapidly evolving technological trends. This absence can be linked to several key areas where its importance is evident for Pakistan’s present and future standing.
As India forges ahead with technological advancements in collaboration with global leaders like United States and France, Pakistan risks falling behind in the regional power dynamics. AI has the potential to enhance military capabilities, boost economic competitiveness, and improve governance. Without participating in such events and engaging with global AI leaders, Pakistan is effectively side-lining itself from discussions that will shape the region’s strategic future. India’s growing strength in AI, particularly with France’s support, may widen the gap in military and economic power between the two neighbours, leading to long-term security challenges for Pakistan.
Moreover, AI has emerged as a key driver of economic growth, with applications ranging from smart cities and healthcare to agriculture and education. By not engaging in global discussions on AI, Pakistan misses out on opportunities for economic innovation, investment, and collaboration. Countries like India are positioning themselves as attractive destinations for AI-related investment, while Pakistan’s absence could mean it falls further behind in competitiveness, innovation, and attracting international partners.
In an increasingly AI-driven world, not being part of global AI summits and discussions isolates Pakistan from shaping international AI governance, ethical standards, and regulatory frameworks. As countries like France, India, the U.S., and China assert influence in AI policy, Pakistan’s lack of involvement means it will have little say in the global norms and rules that will inevitably affect it. This technological isolation could limit Pakistan’s ability to negotiate or influence policies that directly impact its economic and security interests.
Additionally, the benefits of AI go beyond global and regional geopolitics, they are critical for local development as well. AI can help Pakistan address domestic challenges, including improving public services, increasing agricultural productivity, enhancing healthcare, and streamlining governance. By not participating in AI-related global initiatives, Pakistan is forgoing opportunities to learn from other nations, adopt best practices, and implement AI-driven solutions that could help solve some of its most pressing local issues.
As China takes the lead in technology and the U.S. aims to dominate the AI sector by maintaining control over Silicon Valley, the collaboration between France and India in Artificial Intelligence (AI) has the potential to reshape the geopolitical landscape of South Asia and introduce new challenges for the region. As India strengthens its technological ties with France, the strategic implications for Pakistan are significant. AI is increasingly becoming a tool for both economic growth and military modernization, and Pakistan’s relative inaction in this area could have far-reaching consequences particularly in defence, cybersecurity, and economic competitiveness.
France and India are expanding their defence collaboration into AI-driven military technologies. This partnership includes developing autonomous drones, AI-guided missile systems, and AI-powered surveillance platforms. These technologies are critical for modern warfare, providing India with a significant technological edge in both conventional and non-conventional military arenas. The inclusion of AI in India’s defence strategy, supported by French expertise, widens the gap between India’s military capabilities and those of Pakistan, which has yet to adopt AI at the same level.
Furthermore, the France-India AI partnership extends beyond defence into areas such as smart infrastructure, healthcare, and education. With AI’s potential to revolutionize industries, India stands to benefit economically through enhanced productivity and innovation. France’s contribution to AI-driven infrastructure development, including smart cities and energy management systems, positions India as a leader in the regional digital economy. This growing economic partnership has significant implications for Pakistan, which is not investing at the same scale in AI, risking economic stagnation and further isolation.
As cyberattacks become more frequent and sophisticated, AI-based solutions are crucial for protecting critical infrastructure. AI is also being used by France and India to strengthen cybersecurity frameworks. India’s focus on AI-enhanced cybersecurity will ensure its ability to safeguard vital data, while Pakistan’s limited progress in this area leaves it vulnerable to cyber threats from both state and non-state actors. The cybersecurity gap between the two nations could further destabilize regional security dynamics.
The growing France-India AI collaboration has significant long-term implications for Pakistan, spanning across military, economic, and cybersecurity domains. For instance, the development of AI-driven military technologies by India will widen the already existing gap in defence capabilities between India and Pakistan. Autonomous systems, AI-powered surveillance, and precision-strike capabilities will provide India with faster decision-making processes and more accurate targeting, making conventional military responses from Pakistan less effective. If India continues to integrate AI into its defence systems, Pakistan’s reliance on traditional deterrents, including nuclear weapons, could be undermined by AI-powered missile defence systems and autonomous countermeasures.
Secondly, AI-driven economic growth will be a key factor in India’s future development, further exacerbating Pakistan’s economic vulnerabilities. India’s use of AI in industries such as healthcare, agriculture, and education will not only drive economic growth but will also attract foreign investment. Without similar investments in AI and digital infrastructure, Pakistan risks being left behind in the regional economic race. The absence of AI innovation could isolate Pakistan from international trade opportunities, especially as the global economy becomes increasingly digital.
Thirdly, AI is rapidly transforming the nature of cybersecurity, with nations adopting AI-based tools to prevent cyberattacks and safeguard critical data. India’s advances in AI-driven cybersecurity, with the support of France, will allow it to protect its national security interests and critical infrastructure more effectively.
In contrast, Pakistan’s lack of AI-driven cybersecurity tools leaves it vulnerable to cyberattacks, which could target key sectors such as energy, banking, and defence. The growing disparity in cybersecurity capabilities could expose Pakistan to increased espionage, sabotage, and cyber warfare, further compromising its national security. Lastly, the deepening ties between India and France in AI could lead to Pakistan’s diplomatic isolation in the technological sphere.
As AI becomes a focal point for global governance and innovation, countries that fail to invest in AI risk being marginalized in international forums focused on technology regulation, digital trade, and cybersecurity norms. Pakistan’s limited engagement in AI development means it could struggle to influence global AI policy and may be excluded from strategic partnerships cantered on technological collaboration. To mitigate the risks posed by the France-India AI partnership, Pakistan must take decisive steps to invest in AI and future technologies. Pakistan urgently needs to prioritize formulating a national AI strategy that defines objectives for AI development in military, economic, and governance sectors. It should focus on collaboration between government, industry, and academia to foster innovation and develop AI talent. Also, Pakistan must allocate resources to developing AI-driven defence systems, including autonomous drones, AI-powered surveillance, and automated defence mechanisms. Partnerships with countries that have advanced AI capabilities, such as China and Turkey, could help Pakistan acquire the necessary technologies and expertise. To counter the growing threat of cyberattacks, Pakistan should prioritize investments in AI-driven cybersecurity frameworks. These frameworks would help safeguard critical infrastructure, protect sensitive data, and prevent cyber espionage. As India continues to invest heavily in AI and future technologies with support from France, Pakistan must re-evaluate its own technological strategies or risk being left behind in an increasingly digital world. With the next AI Summit scheduled to be held in India, Pakistan must do its homework and prepare to engage in this rapidly evolving technological landscape. Failure to do so could further deepen its isolation and widen the strategic gap between itself and its neighbours.
The author is lecturer at the department of Science & Humanities, FAST-NUCES and Ph.D. scholar at the Dept of International Relations, University of Karachi.