Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets French President Emmanuel Macron, calls France “one of India’s strongest partners”

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France on Wednesday (May 4) and held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in France.

“Landed in Paris. France is one of India’s strongest partners, with our nations cooperating in diverse areas,” PM Modi tweeted.

After the two leaders met, PMO, in a Twitter message, said, “PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron meet in Paris. This meeting will add momentum to the India-France friendship.”

As the bear hug between two leaders went viral, MEA spokesman Arindam Bagchi tweeted, “A meeting between two friends. An opportunity to translate the renewed mandate of President @EmmanuelMacron into a renewed momentum for the India-France Strategic partnership.”

Earlier, terming his Denmark visit productive, the Prime Minister said in a tweet that the programmes covered different spheres ranging from diplomatic meetings, boosting cultural and commercial linkages and engagement with the Indian community.

He thanked the Prime Minister of Denmark, Mette Frederiksen and the people of Denmark.

About the Second India-Nordic Summit, PM Modi said the summit gave a great platform to discuss ways to boost ties with the Nordic nations. He said the bilateral meetings with Nordic leaders were productive, and he is looking forward to working with them in various sectors aimed at furthering prosperity.

PM Modi’s brief visit to France has a special significance. France currently holds the EU presidency. President Macron recently won a second term, and it is also true that the India-France friendship and strategic partnership has seen great momentum in recent years.

In the words of India’s new Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra, the good ties could also be attributed to “the leadership of Prime Minister Modi and President Macron as also their close friendship”.

Before the Prime Minister’s visit, Mr Kwatra had said, “The Prime Minister’s visit to France will provide an opportunity for us to carry forward the high-level engagement between the two countries, post the French presidential elections.”

It is also true that both the countries have continuously nurtured and delivered on the ambition of their strategic partnership, particularly in the areas like clean energy environment, people to people ties, space, digital and manufacturing in high-end sectors.

The Prime Minister had a successful tour of Germany besides Denmark as well.