PM Modi begins 2-day France visit; Bastille Day celebrations, defence in focus
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday departed for France, at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. He will be in the country for two days (July 13 and July 14).
On July 14 (Friday), PM Modi will be the guest of honour at the annual Bastille Day Parade, which will see the participation of a 269-member Indian tri-service contingent.
Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will also join the flypast on the occasion, along with French jets.
Prime Minister Modi will also hold talks with President Emmanuel Macron, to take forward cooperation in a range of key areas, including defence, space, trade and investment.
PM Modi is also scheduled to travel to Abu Dhabi after his visit to France.
Taking to Twitter Thursday morning, the prime minister said, “Leaving for Paris, where I will take part in the Bastille Day celebrations. I look forward to productive discussions with President Emmanuel Macron and other French dignitaries. Other programmes include interacting with the Indian community and top CEOs.”
PM Modi also mentioned his UAE visit and said, “On the 15th, I will be in UAE for an official visit. I shall be holding talks with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. I am confident our interactions will add strength to India-UAE friendship and benefit the people of our countries.”
PM MODI’s SCHEDULE IN FRANCE
The prime minister will arrive in Paris at nearly 4 pm (Indian Standard Time) and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Orly Airport
At around 7.30 pm (IST), PM Modi will arrive at the Senate and meet Gérard Larcher, President of the Senate
At around 8.45 pm (IST), PM Modi will hold a meeting with French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne
PM Modi will next address an Indian community event at the iconic La Seine Musicale at around 11 pm (IST).
Thereafter, at around 00:30 am (IST), PM Modi will reach the Elysee Palace for a private dinner, hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron
PM MODI’s DEPARTURE STATEMENT
On his visit to France and the UAE, Prime Minister Modi said, “I am travelling to France on an Official Visit at the invitation of my friend, H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France, from July 13-14.”
“This visit is particularly special as I will join President Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Guest of Honour. 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.”
“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.”
“I also look forward to my interactions with the French leadership, including H.E. Ms. Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France, H.E. Mr. Gerard Larcher, Presidents of the Senate, and H.E. Ms. Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly.”
“During my visit, I will have the opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities. I am confident that my visit will provide a new impetus to our strategic partnership.”
“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.”
“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 UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.”