On April 9th Prime Minister Narendra Modi embarked on his three nation tour to France, Germany and Canada. Shri Narendra Modi landed at Paris airport where he was received by the French Sports Minister of State, Mr. Thierry Braillard. Shri Modi was greeted warmly at the airport on his arrival including my members of the Indian community there.
From Paris airport. pic.twitter.com/b19mHNetPC
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 9, 2015
A photograph from Paris Airport. PM @narendramodi being welcomed on his arrival to France last evening. pic.twitter.com/HYCipwFY5V
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
Prior to leaving for his visit, the PM also enthusiastically Tweeted about his three nation tour.
Today I begin my visit to France, Germany and Canada. https://t.co/nIHjqDIfEO pic.twitter.com/QpApiWEiwH
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 9, 2015
On 10th of April, Shri Narendra Modi was given a ceremonial reception at Les Invalides in Paris. The Foreign Affairs Minister of France, Mr. Laurent Fabius received Shri Modi warmly. He even shared the glimpses of the Ceremonial welcome on Twitter.
Glimpses from today's ceremonial welcome in Paris. pic.twitter.com/DgEMrvLkQp
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2015
After the ceremony Shri Narendra Modi held extensive meetings and round table discussions with various leaders of France. He also held high level talks with French CEOs and talked about the Government of India's 'Make in India' initiative. The PM also met H.E. Mr. Claude Bartolone, President of the National Assembly in Paris.
PM @narendramodi at the Round Table with French CEOs. pic.twitter.com/n5JFUYLs4s
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
The Prime Minister visited UNESCO later during the day.
At UNESCO, Shri Modi offered prayers to Sri Aurobindo.
Paying respects to Sri Aurobindo. pic.twitter.com/pLMYX7qOSy
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2015
The Prime Minister then held extensive talks with the Director General of UNESCO, Ms Irina Bokova. After the meeting, the PM addressed to the members of UNESCO. There PM was welcomed with Chants of 'Bharat Mata Ki Jai', 'Vande Mataram' and 'Modi Modi' at the venue.
PM Modi delivering his address at UNESCO
Speaking at the occasion, PM Narendra Modi emphasized on role that United Nations and UNESCO has been playing constantly. He said that the collective goal of every nation was to work for peaceful and prosperous future of the world.
Our world is and will remain a better place because of the United Nations: PM @narendramodi at @UNESCO in Paris @UN
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
Our collective goal is to seek a peaceful and prosperous future for our world in which every nation has a voice: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
Shri Narendra Modi recalled Mahatma Gandhi's message to the UNESCO. He noted how Gandhiji always stressed on the need for education for securing peace and harmony.
I recall Mahatma Gandhi's message to UNESCO calling for urgent action to address the needs of education to secure lasting peace: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratefulness for UNESCO's support in the field of education, science and preserving cultural heritage of India. Modi also expressed how close educating the girl child was to him.
We are grateful for UNESCO's support for education and science in India and for preservation of our cultural heritage: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
The programme to educate and support the girl child in India is one that is closest to my heart: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
Focusing on Digital India initiative, the PM assumed it to be a way to connect better with citizens. He assumed that the Digital India initiative would not only be participative and transparent, but make the government more responsive.
Our Digital India will create a participative, transparent and a responsive government connected to our citizens: @narendramodi at @UNESCO
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
For us science is driven by larger purpose of human development and, for a safe, sustainable, prosperous future for India: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
The PM further added that the world must be connected by culture. Considering the 70th anniversary of UNESCO a reason to celebrate, Shri Narendra Modi noted that more efforts must be put to harness science for human welfare in some of the most vulnerable parts of world especially for health & food security.
Culture must connect, not divide, our world: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
We must do more to harness science for human welfare in some of the most vulnerable parts of world–especially for health & food security: PM
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
Later in the day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met with the President of France, Mr. Francois Hollande. He considered the meeting to be a fruitful one to strengthen India-France ties further.
My meeting with President @fhollande was very productive. We discussed further strengthening of India-France ties. pic.twitter.com/0BZwM9qLcV
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2015
Delighted to meet the French President and holding productive talks with him, PM Modi even tweeted about their meeting in French!
Ma réunion avec le Président @fhollande fut très productif. Nous avons discuté des moyens de renforcer les relations franco-indiennes.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 10, 2015
At the Indo-French Economic Forum in Paris, PM Modi and President Hollande witnessed the signing of 17 agreements. They also released stamps to mark 50 years of India-French co-operation.
The signing of agreements is underway in Paris. PM @narendramodi and President @fhollande are witnessing the signing pic.twitter.com/nYnhjaCuZq
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
PM @narendramodi and President @fhollande releasing the stamps. pic.twitter.com/v1uDqHbyTx
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
At the Press Meet, Shri Narendra Modi considered France to be one among India’s most valued friend. He expressed his part of content on President Hollande’s decision to support the ‘Make in India’ initiative. PM Narendra Modi hoped that strategic partnership between India and France would benefit both the nations. Shri Modi was also gladdened by the fact that France would work with India on urban heritage and tourism sectors.
France is among India 's most valued friend: PM @narendramodi speaks at the Joint Press Meet. pic.twitter.com/vhTthaVyDe
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
President @fhollande has supported @makeinindia initiative especially in defence sector: PM @narendramodi
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
Glad that France will work with us on urban heritage and tourism sectors: PM @narendramodi in Paris
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 10, 2015
Shri Narendra Modi and Mr. Francois Hollande also took a boat ride on the River Seine. Shri Modi even captured the moment and shared it via Instagram. He thanked the President of France to have welcomed him warmly and expected that the cooperation between India and France would deepen further.
This was followed by a Banquet hosted by President Hollande.
