Marseille [France], February 13 : Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France for the AI Action Summit, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri said that India-France relations have reached new heights, as PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held high-level discussions aboard the French presidential aircraft.
Misri highlighted the significance of their dialogue, calling it an exceptional gesture by President Macron, reflecting deep personal trust between the two leaders.
During a special briefing on Wednesday by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on PM Modi's visit to France, Misri said, "Yesterday evening, after the CEO's forum meeting, the two leaders travelled together to Marseille in the French presidential aircraft, an exceptional gesture by President Macron and emblematic not only of the deep personal trust between the two leaders but also of the remarkable confidence that they have in each other and that characterizes the relationship as well."
He added, "The Prime Minister and the President held discussions on-board the aircraft. You could say that India-France relations touched new heights, literally. And these discussions on-board the aircraft on a number of issues continued upon landing in Marseille, where the two leaders were joined by their larger delegations. And the discussions took place over the course of a dinner that was hosted by President Macron in honour of the Prime Minister."
PM Modi was on a three-day visit to France from February 10-12, where he participated in various programmes related to Artificial Intelligence (AI), commerce, energy, and cultural linkages. He co-chaired the AI Action Summit, a gathering of world leaders and global tech CEOs.
Following his visit to France, PM Modi landed in the United States at the invitation of US President Donald Trump on Wednesday evening (local time). India's Ambassador to the US, Vinay Mohan Kwatra, along with other officials, welcomed him at the Joint Base Andrews in Washington DC.
This is PM Modi's first visit to the United States after Donald Trump assumed office for the second term.
Upon arrival, PM Modi headed to Blair House, where members of the Indian diaspora gathered to greet him. The diaspora members chanted "Bharat Mata Ki Jai" and Modi Modi" as they welcomed him at the Blair House. PM Modi thanked them for welcoming him.
As a symbolic gesture, the US flag at the Blair House was replaced with the Indian flag before PM Modi's arrival. PM Modi will stay at the Blair House during his visit to the US on February 12-13.
Since November 2024, PM Modi and Trump have spoken on the phone twice. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the inauguration ceremony of President Donald Trump. During the visit, EAM Jaishankar met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and participated in the QUAD Foreign Ministers' meeting in January 2025.
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