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Maritime security, counter-terror on agenda of Macron-Modi Saturday meet Collective actions of Modi, Macron potent enough to tackle global issues French President Macron to arrive on March 9 for four-day visit to India French President Macron to arrive in India today; strategic ties top agenda French Prez Emmanuel Macron to visit India in Dec to discuss bilateral ties -
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived tonight on a four-day India visit and was received at the airport by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in a special gesture.
Macron was accompanied by his wife Brigitte Marie-Claude Macron, besides senior ministers from his Cabinet.
During the visit, the two countries would look to boost ties, especially in the areas of maritime security and counter-terrorism.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron upon his arrival at AFS Palam in New Delhi | PTI Photo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron upon their arrival at AFS Palam in New Delhi | PTI Photo
"France has particularly supported India's perspective on terror in South Asia. We are seeing convergence in new areas, particularly maritime security, counter-terrorism and renewable energy," K Nagraj Naidu, joint secretary (Europe-west), told reporters.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes French President Emmanuel Macron with his wife Brigitte Macron upon their arrival at AFS Palam in New Delhi | PTI Photo
"In the area of space, India and France have a matured engagement and we would like to take it to a new level," Naidu said.
The Indo-French cooperation in the area of space is more than five-decades-old.
Besides conventional areas, thrust would also be on renewable energy, high-speed train and stepping cooperation in trade.
After holding delegation-level talks with Modi tomorrow, Macron will take part in a Town Hall and have an interactive session, in which nearly 300 students from different levels and institutions are expected to participate.
On the same day, he will also take part in a Knowledge Summit which will be attended by more than 200 academicians from both sides.
On March 11, President Macron will attend the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Summit, an initiative mooted by France and India.
The ISA Summit, expected to be attended by several heads of the states and governments, is likely to focus on concrete projects. On the same day, he will also visit Taj Mahal in Agra.
President Macron will also visit Varanasi, the parliamentary constituency of Prime Minister Modi, on March 12.
He, along with Modi, will inaugurate a solar plant in Uttar Pradesh's Mirzapur.
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