The fact that I will be celebrating Bastille Day with President Macron makes this trip extra meaningful.
On Thursday, July 13th, Prime Minister Narendra Modi left New Delhi to visit France and the United Arab Emirates.
Modi added in his farewell statement, “I am travelling to France on an official visit at the invitation of my friend Emmanuel Macron, President of France, from July 13-14.”
In my role as Guest of Honour, I will be joining President Macron in celebrating Bastille Day, the French national holiday, in Paris during my visit. Moreover, he said, “Indian Air Force planes will make a fly-past during the Bastille Day Parade as part of the celebrations.
Our relationship is celebrating its silver anniversary this year.
Defence, space, civil nuclear, the blue economy, commerce, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people relationships are just some of the areas where the trust and commitment between our two nations is strong. The Prime Minister emphasised the two countries’ cooperation on international and regional challenges.
Modi expressed his excitement at the prospect of meeting with President Macron and having in-depth conversations on the future of their alliance, which has been in place for 25 years.
Since my last official visit to France in 2022, I have had many opportunities to meet with President Macron, most recently in May 2023 in Hiroshima, Japan, at the G7 Summit. In addition, “I look forward to my interactions with the leadership of France, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, President of the Senate Gerard Larcher, and President of the National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet,” Modi said.
He will also meet with important French figures and members of the Indian diaspora.
On July 15 I shall be on a business trip to Abu Dhab from Paris. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the United Arab Emirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi, is a friend of mine, and I can’t wait to shake his hand.
Trade, investment, energy, food security, research and technology, education, financial technology, defence and security, and powerful people-to-people relationships are just some of the areas in which our two nations collaborate. Modi said, “I look forward to talking with him how we may further enhance our relations. Last year, president Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a plan for the future of our alliance.
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will play host to COP28 later this year.
I’m excited to talk with you about how we can all work together to speed up climate action and make the energy transition and Paris Agreement a reality. With my trip to the UAE, I am optimistic that we can open a new era in our comprehensive strategic alliance,” Modi said.
