Modi leaves on three-nation tour

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday embarked on a three-nation tour of France, Germany and Canada that will focus on boosting bilateral trade and economic ties, including in defence and railways.

The prime minister, who will arrive late on Thursday in Paris, earlier said that his eight-day visit was focused on supporting India's national economic agenda, especially job creation for the youth.

All three destinations are G-7 industrialised democracies, with an economic interest, Foreign Secretary S. Jaishankar has said.

In France, Modi will be accorded a ceremonial welcome and immediately hold two back-to-back round-tables with top French CEOs -- one focused on infrastructure and the other on defence technology.