PM Narendra Modi embarks on two-nation tour of France and United Arab Emirates

Prime Minister Narendra Modi left on a two-nation tour of France and the United Arab Emirates today morning. In the first leg of his tour, the Prime Minister will reach Paris this afternoon on an official visit at the invitation of the President of France, Emmanuel Macron.

He will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade tomorrow, where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent would be participating.

PM Modi in his departure statement said that he is travelling to France at the invitation of his friend Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

The Prime Minister stated that this visit is particularly special as he will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour.

He also added that an Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion.

PM Modi also highlighted that 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, added PM Modi. He said that both nations also work together on regional and global issues.

The Prime Minister said that he 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.

He added that both countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties.

The Prime Minister will meet French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher this evening.

PM Modi will interact with the Indian community which would be followed by a private dinner hosted by President Macron at Elysee Palace in honour of the Prime Minister.

He will hold delegation-level talks with President Macron tomorrow. During the visit, he will also interact with CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

Akashvani's correspondent reports that the visit will be rich in both substance and form. This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India - France Strategic Partnership.

The Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation. It is high on both symbolism and substance. There will be a strong focus on trade and economy with a CEO Forum comprising big names from Indian and French sides.

It is uncommon for foreign leaders to be invited as Guest of Honour for Bastille Day celebrations. Foreign marching contingents and foreign aircraft participating in it is also rare.

There is great personal chemistry between Prime Minister Modi and President Macron and as a special gesture, the French President will host the State Banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum on Bastille Day.

On the second leg of his visit, the Prime Minister will visit Abu Dhabi on the 15th of July.

He will hold talks with the UAE President and Ruler of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and the Prime Minister’s visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture.

It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly, in the context of UAE’s Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and India’s G-20 Presidency in which UAE is a Special Invitee.