Prime Minister Narendra Modi has embarked on a two-nation tour to France and UAE on Thursday morning. The Prime Minister will join President Emmanuel Macron for the French National Day, or Bastille Day celebrations, in Paris as the Guest of Honour.
Modi will then travel to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15.
Visuals of PM Modi emplaning for Paris, France earlier today. The Prime Minister will be the guest of honour at the Bastille Day Parade on July 14.
— Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) July 13, 2023
(Source: Third Party) pic.twitter.com/IzhESZrRbz
Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister said he was "looking forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years."
Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between France and India, Modi said that rooted in deep trust and commitment, the 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," he added.
Modi pointed out that he has had the opportunity to meet President Macron several times since his 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 Ms. Elisabeth Borne, Prime Minister of France, Mr. Gerard Larcher, President of the Senate, and Ms. Yael Braun-Pivet, President of the National Assembly," he said.
The Prime Minister will also interact with the Indian community and top CEOs in France. The Indian community is reportedly preparing to welcome the Prime Minister. Jayesh Bhavse, Indian Gujarati Cultural Association President, told ANI that they will present a special turban to PM Modi which will include flags of India and France.
"Every Indian, including Gujaratis, are excited for Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit. We have been preparing for his visit ever since we came to know that PM Modi is travelling to France. You will see the performances, garba at the event," he said. Bhavse added that they will request PM Modi about our intention to construct Sanatan Temple and we have talked about this with the embassy."
Modi to meet MBZ
From Paris, Modi said, he will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an official visit on July 15. "I look forward to meeting my friend, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," Modi tweeted.
"Our two 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," he noted.
Modi said last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and he agreed on a roadmap on the future of the bilateral partnership, and he looks forward to discussing with him how to further deepen ties.
Noting that the UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year, Modi said he also looks 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," he said.
(With inputs from PTI)
