Macron greets ‘friend’ PM Modi in France

Paris: French President Emmanuel Macron greeted Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a hug at a welcome dinner before co-chairing the AI Summit in Paris.

"Delighted to meet my friend, President Macron in Paris," Modi posted on X on Monday.

The prime minister met US Vice President JD Vance, who is also in France for the AI Summit, at the dinner.

"PM @narendramodi interacts with President @EmmanuelMacron and USA @VP @JDVance in Paris," the Prime Minister's Office said in a post on X.

Prime Minister Modi landed in Paris earlier today, the first stop on his two-nation journey that will eventually take him to the United States.

Modi will speak to business executives, hold bilateral talks with Macron, and co-chair the AI Action Summit in Paris during his three-day trip to France. When he arrived in Paris, he was welcomed by a grand diaspora, TNIE reported.

PM Narendra Modi shared an image and wrote, “A memorable welcome in Paris! The cold weather didn't deter the Indian community from showing their affection this evening.”

“Grateful to our diaspora and proud of them for their accomplishments," he said.

Modi and Macron will also hold discussions in both restricted delegation formats, as well as speak at the India-France CEOs Forum.

In his departing statement, the prime minister stated that the bilateral segment of his visit will allow him to evaluate progress on the 2047 Horizon Roadmap for India-France strategic relationship alongside "my friend" President Macron.

On Wednesday, the two leaders will pay respect to the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers during World War I at Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseille, which is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

They will inaugurate the new Consulate General of India in Marseille. Officials said Modi is making his sixth visit to France.