New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on three-day official trip to France & UAE on Thursday. In his first leg of foreign visit, PM Modi will receive a rousing reception in France besides holding bilateral discussions and proposed signing of defence deals with President Macron.
PM Modi will also participate in the national Bastille Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour.
Defence deals, bilateral talks with Macron and PM Modi’s meet with French CEOs are on top of agenda but on personal level, what makes this visit paramount is the honour being bestowed by the French President.
During the two-day trip, PM Modi will join private dinner with French president Macron at his residence as well as a grand state banquet at the landmark Louvre museum. This will mark 25 years of India-France strategic ties.
Private dinner with Macron
PM Modi is likely to land in Paris at around 4 PM IST and will be accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Orly Airport in Paris.
Prime Minister’s first official engagement will be an interaction with France Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne.
Towards the evening, PM Modi will address the Indian diaspora at iconic La Seine Musicale.
Soon after this, PM Modi will be hosted by Frence President Macron for a private dinner at Elysee Palace.
PM Modi at Bastille Day Parade
Bastille Day parade will be one of the key events of PM Modi’s France visit, where he will be the guest of honour. Bastille Day is an annual event of France to celebrate the beginning of French revolution, which marked the end of monarchy from country.
“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,” PM Modi said today before departure.
Grand state banquet at Louvre Museum
Grand state banquet at the iconic Louvre Museum is another landmark event that will mark the conclusion of PM Modi’s visit to France and will garner the attention of global media.
The banquet will be hosted by French President in honour of Indian Prime Minister and will be attended by scores of top businessmen, CEOs from both countries.
A similar state banquet was hosted by US President Joe Biden for PM Modi in Washington, which saw the presence of business magnates like Sundar Pichai, Satya Nadella, Mukesh Ambani & many more.