New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his two-day visit to France with “fruitful” meetings with his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and Senate President Gerard Larcher on Thursday. During the meetings, the Prime Minister discussed ways to impart new impetus to India's longstanding and time-tested strategic partnership with France.
The Prime Minister was accorded a warm welcome by Borne upon his arrival in Paris. Prior to his departure from New Delhi on Thursday morning, the Prime Minister had said that his visit is 'special' as he will join his 'friend', France's President Emmanuel Macron, on Friday for the Bastille Day celebrations as the guest of honour.
In his first engagement, Modi had a “productive meeting” with Senate President Larcher and the two leaders deliberated on a range of issues of mutual interest and agreed to work together to deepen India-France cooperation in a number of areas, according to the Prime Minister's Office.
“Delighted to have met Mr. @gerard_larcher, President of the @Senat. Had productive exchanges on ways to deepen India-France cooperation across diverse sectors,” the Prime Minister tweeted.
Separately, Modi met Prime Minister Borne and discussed measures to further strengthen the bilateral ties. “PM @narendramodi held fruitful talks with PM @elisabeth_borne in Paris. The leaders reviewed various facets of India-France partnership as well as discussed measures to further strengthen the ties between both the countries,” the PMO said.
The Prime Minister is here on a two-day visit during which he will hold wide-ranging talks with President Emmanuel Macron and join him for the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.
“PM @narendramodi commenced his engagements in France with a productive interaction with President @Senat @gerard_larcher. PM underlined how shared values of democracy, freedom and equality form foundational ethos of India-France partnership. Discussions covered India's G20 priorities, democratic values in technology usage, cooperation between the two Upper Houses as well as regional and global issues,” ministry of external affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
Modi also interacted with children and members of the Indian diaspora on his arrival at the hotel in Paris. Enthusiastic Indian community members who were waiting outside his hotel chanted 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' as they met the Prime Minister.
“A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature,” Modi said.
Prime Minister Modi's intensive programme in Paris includes a slew of engagements with the French leadership, Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities.
Ahead of his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit will provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership. In his departure statement issued from New Delhi, the Prime Minister said, "This year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership.
Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our two countries cooperate closely across various domains including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture and people to people ties. We also work together on regional and global issues."
"I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. I have had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since my last Official Visit to France in 2022, most recently in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023 during the G-7 Summit," the Prime Minister added.
President Macron will host a private dinner for Modi late on Thursday evening and also host a State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum on Friday evening.
On the UAE leg of the visit, Modi said, "From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap on the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties."
In his departure statement, the Prime Minister added, UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement. I am confident that my visit to the UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."
