In a historic first for the world of podcasting, French President Emmanuel Macron sat down for an exclusive conversation on Figuring Out with Raj Shamani. This wasn’t just a political briefing; it was a deep dive into the mind of a leader navigating a world caught between superpowers, the rapid evolution of technology, and the rising influence of a multipolar world order.
From the bustling streets of Mumbai to the high-tech corridors of Europe, here are the key takeaways from this landmark interview.
Watch the Full Podcast on Figuring Out
1. Why France and Europe Lagged in the Tech Race
President Macron addressed a critical question: France invented early world-changing technologies, so why are today’s giants either American or Chinese? He identified three missing links:
-
Scale: Europe’s markets have been too fragmented. He emphasized the need for a unified single market of 450 million people to compete with global superpowers [10:26].
-
Capital: Despite having massive savings, European capital is often channeled into bond markets rather than high-risk tech ventures [10:53].
-
Risk Appetite: Macron noted that European culture needs to embrace failure and risk-taking—the very essence of the word “entrepreneur,” which, as he reminded us, is a French word [09:25].
2. The 2035 “Moonshot”: Quantum Supremacy
When asked to bet on one technology that France will lead by 2035, Macron’s answer was clear: Quantum Computing[22:03]. With a strong foundation in mathematics and a vibrant ecosystem of labs and startups, France is positioning itself to be at the forefront of the quantum revolution. He emphasized that innovation is about the “willingness to lose eight times to succeed the ninth time” [23:18].
3. The India-France “All-Weather” Friendship
Macron spoke warmly of his relationship with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the deep ties between the two nations. He described the partnership as a “Third Way”—a path that avoids confrontation but rejects dependency [26:16].
-
Strategic Autonomy: Both nations are obsessed with the idea that their citizens should decide their own future, free from technological or military dependence on others [29:41].
-
Multipolarity: Macron believes India and France are setting an example for a world order where power is balanced and respect is fundamental to leadership [01:05].
4. Addressing Global Tensions: Trump and the U.S.
The conversation didn’t shy away from recent controversies, including Donald Trump’s leak of private diplomatic messages and threats of 200% tariffs on French goods. Macron’s response was measured but firm:
“Respect is part of leadership… You can disagree, but you have to do it in a respectful way within democracies… No need to be violent or disrespectful” [04:00].
5. An Open Door for Indian Talent
Macron extended a direct invitation to Indian students and startup founders. Contrary to popular belief, he clarified that many top-tier French universities teach in English [16:23]. He highlighted France as a unique nexus of fashion, gastronomy, tech, and high culture—a natural entry point into continental Europe [18:11].
6. What Scares and Optimizes the President?
As he enters the final stretch of his presidency, Macron shared his perspective on the future:
-
Optimism: He is inspired by the global rise in education and the billions of young people—especially in India and Africa—who have the brainpower and enthusiasm to solve climate change and biodiversity issues [35:12].
-
Concern: He expressed deep worry about the lack of a predictable framework for defense and security, citing the “crazy war in Ukraine” as a disruption of the international order that requires a new global framework [36:09].
Conclusion: “Plug Baby, Plug”
Macron ended the conversation with a message of energy and action. Whether it’s jogging through Mumbai without protocol or pushing for European sovereignty, the French President remains in “action mode.”
This interview serves as a testament to the growing synergy between India and France—two civilizations that respect their past while aggressively building a shared, multipolar future.
Comments are closed.