UPI in France, Five-year visa for Indian students: Modi counts off benefits of visit

Paris: Addressing Indian community in Paris, visiting Prime Minister Modi said on Thursday that France will grant five-year post-study visa to students pursuing master’s degree in the nation.

Modi received a momentous welcome from packed audience at the LA Seine Musicale in Paris where he talked about outcome of his visit, among others.

During his last visit to the nation, France decided to give Indian students a 2-year post-study work visa, adding that now Indian students pursuing Masters will get five years post-study visa, ANI reported.

The Prime Minister Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the airport where he was welcomed by French PM Elisabeth Bornee as he arrived in Paris on Thursday for a two-day visit.

Attending the National Day celebrations with French President Emmanuel Macron, PM Modi called his visit 'special', adding that there is an ‘unbreakable friendship between India and France.’

Later praising India’s UPI, the Prime Minister said that both countries reached an agreement to use UPI in France beginning from the Eiffel Tower which will allow India tourists to make payments in Rupees via UPI at Eiffel Tower.

Mentioning the areas both countries are partnering, he singled out archaeological missions where India and France, he said, have been working together for a long time.

‘It's expanded from Chandigarh to Ladakh. Digital infrastructure is another sector that strengthens the ties between India and France,’ he was quoted as saying.

Only a fortnight ago, PM Modi made a state-visit to the US where he addressed the US Congress for the second time.