Prime Minister Narendra Modi concluded his three-day visit to France on Wednesday, describing it as “historic and productive.” In a special gesture, French President Emmanuel Macron personally bid farewell to PM Modi at the airport, with the two leaders sharing a warm hug before departure.
PM Modi left Marseille for Washington, D.C., for the second leg of his two-nation tour. During his time in France, he participated in high-level discussions and events covering artificial intelligence, commerce, energy, and cultural cooperation.
“Thank you, France! A productive visit concludes, where I attended programmes ranging from AI, commerce, energy, and cultural linkages. Gratitude to President @EmmanuelMacron and the people of France,” PM Modi posted on X.
Among the key highlights of his visit was co-chairing the AI Action Summit alongside global leaders and top technology CEOs. PM Modi also held extensive discussions with Macron, reviewing progress on the Horizon 2047 Roadmap for the India-France strategic partnership. The leaders traveled to the historic port city of Marseille to inaugurate India’s first consulate in France and visited the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, where India is a key participant in the global initiative.
In a solemn tribute, PM Modi paid homage to Indian soldiers who fought in World Wars I and II at the Mazargues War Cemetery.
“A historic visit to France in the ancient city of Marseille concludes. In a special gesture, President @EmmanuelMacron came to see off PM @narendramodi at the airport,” Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal posted on X.
PM Modi is now set for an official working visit to the United States from February 12-13, marking his first trip to Washington since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term.
“Although this will be our first meeting following his historic electoral victory and inauguration in January, I have a very warm recollection of working together in his first term in building a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US,” PM Modi said before departing.
“This visit will be an opportunity to build upon the successes of our collaboration in his first term and develop an agenda to further elevate and deepen our partnership, including in the areas of technology, trade, defense, energy, and supply chain resilience,” he added.
(Inputs from ANI)
