Prime Minister Narendra Modi has set foot on French soil, opening the first chapter of a five-day overseas tour that will take him through both France and Slovakia. The journey began in the picturesque southern French city of Nice, and its central purpose is clear: to lift India's ties with its key partner nations to a new level, with innovation placed firmly at the heart of the agenda. Alongside his conversations with President Emmanuel Macron, the Prime Minister is also set to take part in the G7 summit.
A Roaring Welcome From the Indian Diaspora
The reception that greeted the Prime Minister as he arrived at his hotel straight from the airport was a sight to behold. Members of the Indian community who had gathered there rolled out a warm, heartfelt welcome, and a series of cultural performances added colour to the occasion. The moment people of Indian origin spotted the Prime Minister, the venue echoed with chants of 'Modi-Modi' and 'Bharat Mata ki Jai'.
Modi Connects With Every Member of the Crowd
The Prime Minister did not keep the interaction merely formal. He met each Indian present in person and shook hands with them all. In the most memorable moment of the warm reception, he lifted a young child into his arms and affectionately played with the little one. Shortly after landing in France, Modi also shared his experience on social media.
An Eager Modi Ahead of the Macron Meeting
The Prime Minister made no secret of his enthusiasm about meeting French President Emmanuel Macron. He expressed confidence that the trip would deepen India's relationships with its important partner countries even further, a sentiment that hints at the broad agenda set for this visit.
What the Prime Minister Said on X
In his first reaction on the social media platform X, the Prime Minister laid out the full sweep of his itinerary, making it clear that the visit would stretch well beyond Nice.
'Landed in Nice. Beyond Nice, this France visit will include programmes in Evian and Paris as well. There will be bilateral and multilateral meetings aimed at further strengthening India's friendship with important development partners. I am eagerly looking forward to meeting French President Macron tomorrow and taking part in the Bharat Innovates programme.'
'Bharat Innovates' to Be Inaugurated in Nice
Today marks the most significant leg of the tour. Prime Minister Modi and President Emmanuel Macron will hold a face-to-face meeting, and the 'Bharat Innovates' event will be launched in Nice on the same day. The gathering will bring together leading figures from the world of industry. The platform is designed to unite high-innovation startups and venture capital funds from India, France and other countries under one roof, opening up fresh avenues for innovation and investment.
A Possible Encounter With Trump at the G7
The scope of the France visit does not stop at bilateral relations. During the G7 summit, Prime Minister Modi is likely to meet US President Trump as well, where the two leaders could hold bilateral discussions. This gives the trip added weight from the standpoint of global diplomacy.
The Issues in Focus
In the first phase of the tour, the Prime Minister will hold a bilateral meeting with Macron on Sunday and inaugurate 'Bharat Innovates'. The two leaders will review every aspect of the India-France bilateral relationship. Notably, these ties were elevated to the level of a 'special global strategic partnership' earlier this year, broadening the scope of cooperation between the two nations still further.
