"Particularly special", says PM Modi as he leaves on official visit to France

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who embarked on an official visit to France on Thursday (July 13, 2023), has described the visit as "particularly special". He is travelling to France at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron on July 13-14. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will then visit the UAE on July 15, 2023

"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. An Indian tri-services contingent will be part of the Bastille Day Parade, while Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past on the occasion," PM Modi said in his departure statement.

Noting that this year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership, he added, "Rooted in deep trust and commitment, our 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".

"I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years," Prime Minister Modi said. He noted that he 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.

Prime Minister Modi added that he looked forward to his interactions with the French leadership, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, President of the Senate Gerard Larcher, and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. "During my visit, I will have the opportunity to meet the vibrant Indian community, leading CEOs from both countries as well as prominent French personalities. I am confident that my visit will provide a new impetus to our strategic partnership," Prime Minister Modi said.

From Paris, he will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. "I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi," PM Modi said.

Explaining the significance of his UAE visit, he said that the two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. "Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap on the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties," Prime Minister Modi added.

With the UAE set to host the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year, PM Modi said he was also looking 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," Prime Minister Modi concluded.