Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Marseille, southern France, late Tuesday night, and paid homage to freedom fighter Vinayak Damodar Savarkar.
PM also invited French businesses to invest in India, saying when France's technology and India's talent unite, a global transformation will happen.
"Landed in Marseille. In India's quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape," Modi said in a post on X after arriving there Tuesday night (local time).
He added, "I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody. The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to inspire generations!"
Prime Minister Modi is in Marseille to inaugurate a new Consulate General of India with French President Emmanuel Macron. The leaders have a series of engagements planned for Wednesday, including an expected visit to the Mazargues War Cemetery to honour the sacrifice of Indian soldiers who died fighting in the World Wars.
A tour of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, an international nuclear fusion collaboration, is also on their agenda.
In a late-night post (IST 4.18 am), Modi said on X, "President Macron and I reached Marseille a short while ago. This visit will witness important programmes aimed at further connecting India and France. The Indian consulate which is being inaugurated, will deepen people-to-people linkages. I will also pay homage to the Indian soldiers martyred in the First and Second World Wars."
India-France CEO Forum
Addressing the India-France CEO Forum here on Tuesday, Modi said this is the right time to come to India, as it offers countless opportunities for investments and collaborations in areas such as defence, advanced technology, and fintech, among others.
"I welcome you all to join India's development journey. When France's finesse and India's scale meet... When India's pace and France's precision join... When France's technology and India's talent unite... Then, not just the business landscape, but global transformation will happen," he told the gathering of the business leaders.
French President Emmanuel Macron also attended the event.
Modi said the India-France CEO Forum plays a key role in strengthening economic ties and fostering innovation.
"It is gladdening to see business leaders from both nations collaborate and create new opportunities across key sectors. This drives growth, investment, and ensures a better future for the coming generations," he said in a post on X.
In his address, Modi said, "This is the right time to come to India. Everyone's progress is linked to India's progress. An example of this was seen in the aviation sector when Indian companies placed large orders for airplanes. And, now, when we are going to open 120 new airports, you can imagine the future possibilities for yourselves.
Modi Meets JD Vance
US Vice President J.D. Vance and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday talked about how the United States can help India diversify its energy sources through investments in American nuclear technology, the White House said.
The meeting between Vance and Modi in Paris on Tuesday, where they were both attending an artificial intelligence summit, came ahead of the prime minister's U.S. visit later this week, in which topics like trade, investment, technology, and immigration are expected to be discussed.
Modi and Vance "discussed topics of mutual interest, including how the United States can assist India in diversifying its energy sourcing through investments in clean, reliable U.S. nuclear technology," the White House said in a statement.
