Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has reached France on a three-day visit. PM Modi was given a grand welcome at Paris Airport. A large number of people from the Indian community were also present to welcome him. PM Modi will co-chair the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, hold bilateral talks with him, and address business leaders.
PM Modi will also visit the Mazargues War Cemetery.
The two leaders are also scheduled to visit the Mazargues War Cemetery managed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission in Marseille on Wednesday and pay tribute to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the First World War. Later the same day, the Prime Minister will visit the US as part of the second leg of his two-nation visit.
What the Indian Foreign Ministry said
Ahead of the Prime Minister's visit, the official spokesperson of the Ministry of External Affairs on Monday shared a video showcasing the relationship between India and France. "Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting Paris to co-chair the AI Action Summit with French President Emmanuel Macron. A look at the broad aspects of the special India-France relationship," the spokesperson wrote in the post along with the video.
This is PM Modi's sixth visit to France
According to the information given in the video, this will be Modi's sixth visit to France. In a special briefing on February 7, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misad shared the detailed itinerary of the Prime Minister's visit to France.
Will attend dinner at Elysee Palace
Prime Minister Modi will attend a dinner hosted by Macron at the French presidential residence Elysee Palace in Paris, which is likely to be attended by other dignitaries invited to the summit as well as a large number of technology sector CEOs. The Prime Minister will co-chair the AI Action Summit on February 11 with Macron.
PM Modi to address India-France CEO Forum
Misri informed reporters that he would speak at the India-France CEO Forum and hold discussions at the delegation and specialized levels. Along with Macron, the Prime Minister is also expected to open India's new Consulate General in Marseille. Later, the two leaders will travel to Cadarache to tour the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) site, a high-science project in which India and other nations are involved.
India-France strategic partnership completes 25 years.
Last year, India and France celebrated the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership, which covered all issues from defense and security, civil nuclear matters, and space to trade, economy, and commerce. Misri said the relationship is now expanding to new areas such as innovation and technology, maritime security cooperation, counter-terrorism, health cooperation, renewable energy,y and development cooperation.
