Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday began his two-day visit to France with “fruitful” meetings with his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and Senate President Gerard Larcher, during which they gave fresh impetus to India’s long-standing and time-tested strategic partnership. discussed ways to do so. major European nations.
Modi, who arrived in Paris earlier in the day, received a special welcome at the airport by Prime Minister Borne. Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome and given a guard of honor on his arrival.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office, in their first meeting, Modi had a “fruitful meeting” with Senate President Larcher and the two leaders discussed a number of issues of mutual interest and ways to deepen Indo-French cooperation in a number of areas. agreed to work together. Said.
“Delighted to meet the President of the Senate, Mr. @gerard_larcher. Had a fruitful exchange on ways to deepen India-France cooperation in various fields,” Modi said in a tweet.
Modi separately met Prime Minister Borne and discussed ways to further strengthen bilateral ties. The PMO said, “Prime Minister Narendra Modi held fruitful talks with Prime Minister Elizabeth Bourne in Paris. The leaders reviewed various aspects of the India-France partnership and also discussed ways to further strengthen ties between the two countries.” “
The leaders discussed furthering cooperation in various areas such as economic and trade, energy, environment, education, mobility, railways, digital public infrastructure, museology and people-to-people ties, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement. Did.
Both sides reiterated their desire to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation between India and France. 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 begins his program in France with productive talks with President Senate @gerard_larcher,” MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted.
“Prime Minister Modi highlighted the importance of our shared values of ‘democracy, liberty and equality’, which are the bedrock ethos of the India-France partnership,” the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement after the meeting.
“Discussions focused on a wide range of areas including India’s G20 priorities, democratic values in the use of technology and cooperation between the two Upper Houses. Regional and global issues of mutual interest were also discussed,” it added.
Modi also interacted with children and members of the Indian diaspora upon his arrival at the hotel in Paris. Members of the enthusiastic Indian community waiting outside the hotel raised slogans of ‘Bharat Mata ki Jai’ during the meeting with the Prime Minister.
Modi said, “Warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for itself and is admired for its hard work and industrious nature.” Prime Minister Modi’s intensive program in Paris includes several engagements with the French leadership, the Indian diaspora, CEOs and prominent personalities. Prior to his departure, Modi expressed confidence that his visit would provide a new impetus to the bilateral strategic partnership.
The main focus of Prime Minister Modi’s talks with Macron is expected to be on expansion of bilateral defense ties. In his departure statement, Modi said, “I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking this long-standing and time-tested partnership forward over the next 25 years.” “We also work together on regional and global issues,” he added.
Modi said his visit to France is particularly special as he will join President Macron as the guest of honor at the French National Day or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris. A 269-member Indian Tri-Services contingent will participate in the parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also participate in the flypast on the occasion along with French jets.
Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership, Modi said that rooted in deep trust and commitment, the two countries cooperate closely in various fields including defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment Are. Education, culture and people-to-people relations. Modi has had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since his last official visit to France in 2022, most recently during the G-7 summit in Hiroshima, Japan in May 2023. From Paris, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates for an official visit on July 15.
(With inputs from PTI)