New Delhi, July 13: Prime Minister Narendra Modi commenced his official tour of France and the UAE on Thursday. In his departure statement, he expressed his anticipation for the visit, highlighting its significance and the special occasion of being the Guest of Honour at the French National Day celebrations in Paris. The visit marks the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France.
Emphasizing the deep trust and commitment between the two nations, Prime Minister Modi acknowledged their close collaboration across various domains such as defence, space, civil nuclear, blue economy, trade, investment, education, culture, and people-to-people ties. He looked forward to engaging in extensive discussions with President Emmanuel Macron to further strengthen the long-standing partnership for the next 25 years.
The Prime Minister expressed his eagerness to meet prominent French personalities, including Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, Senate President Gerard Larcher, and National Assembly President Yael Braun-Pivet. Furthermore, he planned to engage with the Indian diaspora and CEOs from both countries.
Following his visit to France, Prime Minister Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi for an official visit on July 15. He eagerly anticipated his meeting with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The two countries are actively involved in various sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science and technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and people-to-people ties. The Prime Minister aimed to deepen ties by discussing the roadmap agreed upon last year with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed.
During his time in the UAE, Prime Minister Modi will also focus on climate action, given that the UAE will host the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP28) later this year. He expressed his optimism in exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation to accelerate climate action and facilitate the energy transition in line with the Paris Agreement. The visit was expected to open a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between India and the UAE.
