Prime Minister Narendra Modi Embarks on Official Visit to France and UAE

Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on a two-nation tour of France and the United Arab Emirates today. The first leg of his visit will take him to Paris, where he has been invited by President Emmanuel Macron to participate in the official celebrations of the French National Day, also known as Bastille Day. The Prime Minister will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade, where a contingent from the Indian armed forces will showcase their skills and join in the festivities.

In his departure statement, Prime Minister Modi expressed his gratitude for the invitation from his friend President Macron. He highlighted the significance of the visit, as it coincides with the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France. The two countries have a strong bond, collaborating closely across multiple sectors, including defense, space, civil nuclear, trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people ties. The Prime Minister emphasized that this visit will provide an opportunity to further strengthen this longstanding partnership for the next 25 years.

During his stay in France, Prime Minister Modi will engage in a series of meetings and interactions. He is scheduled to meet with French Prime Minister Élisabeth Borne and President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher. The Prime Minister will also have an interactive session with the Indian community residing in France. President Macron will host a private dinner at the Elysee Palace in honor of the Prime Minister. The visit will culminate in delegation-level talks between Prime Minister Modi and President Macron, where they will discuss various aspects of the bilateral relationship.

The visit to France holds great significance, with a focus on strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation. It aims to chart the course of the partnership for the future, with a particular emphasis on trade and the economy. The CEO Forum, consisting of prominent figures from both Indian and French companies, will play a key role in enhancing business ties.

After concluding his visit to France, Prime Minister Modi will proceed to Abu Dhabi on July 15 for the second leg of his tour. He is scheduled to hold talks with the President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and the Ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The visit will provide an opportunity to strengthen the India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership across various domains, including energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defense, and culture. Discussions on global issues will also be a significant part of the agenda, particularly in light of the UAE’s Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and India’s G-20 Presidency, where the UAE is a Special Invitee.

Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France and the UAE underscores the importance of bilateral relations and sets the stage for further collaboration and cooperation in the years to come.