Prime Minister Narendra Modi wrapped up his visit to Nice and is now en route to Bratislava. The visit marks the first leg of his journey, with Slovakia hosting him from June 14-16 at the invitation of Prime Minister Robert Fico. During his time in France, PM Modi engaged in productive discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron, focusing on enhancing cooperation in various sectors. The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the significant outcomes of the visit, emphasizing innovation and future technology as key areas of collaboration.
PM Modi expressed optimism about the India-France partnership, noting its continuous growth and potential. He also mentioned plans to meet again in Evian and Paris, underscoring the strengthening ties between the two nations. The leaders discussed elevating their relationship to a Special Global Strategic Partnership, reflecting the deep-rooted friendship between India and France.
The discussions between PM Modi and President Macron encompassed a wide range of sectors such as defense, technology, space, security, counter-terrorism, and innovation. Both leaders emphasized the importance of bolstering people-to-people connections and enhancing cooperation in various fields. PM Modi appreciated President Macron’s efforts in facilitating visa-free transit for Indian travelers at French airports, enhancing mobility and ease of travel between the two countries.
The leaders explored avenues to promote talent and student exchanges, aiming to expand mutual recognition of educational qualifications. PM Modi extended an invitation to French universities to establish campuses in India under the New Education Policy, fostering educational collaboration between the two nations. During a lunch hosted by President Macron in honor of PM Modi, global issues including the situations in West Asia and Ukraine were discussed.
PM Modi expressed his anticipation for the upcoming G7 Summit in Evian and thanked President Macron for involving India in substantive pre-summit discussions. The engagement between the two leaders underscored the shared commitment to addressing global challenges and fostering bilateral cooperation on a broader scale.
