Modi’s France, UAE visit to cement and strengthen Ties
Omkar Dattatray
Prime minister Narendra Modi is embarking on his eventful visit to France and Muslim country UAE to create friendship and cement mutual relations so that these three countries will play their role in the world affairs and geo-politics .From today 13th of July Prime minister Modi will remain on three days visit .During this visit PM will be on tour of two countries .PM Modi will first visit France and then will visit UAE on 15th of July.PM Modi during this visit will have a tight schedule.
PM Modi departed from India for an official visit to France and UAE .Ahead of his departure to France Modi said in a statement that he is looking forward to meeting French president Emmanuel Macron and holding discussions on taking forward the partnership between the two nations ’’I look forward to meeting President Macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time tested partnership over next 25 years .
I have had the opportunity to meet president Macron several times since my last official visit to France in 2022 ,most recently in Hiroshima ,Japan in May 2023 during the G-7summit.’’an official statement released from the PMO said .Calling his visit special PM joined Macron for Bastille Day celebrations in Paris as the Gust of Hour .Indian Air Force aircraft performed a fly –past on the occasion.
PM Modi had a fruitful meeting with his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne and Senate president Gerard Larcher during which he discussed ways to impart new impetus to India’s multilateral cooperation and time tested strategic partnership with the key European nation. PM Modi‘s visit to France is being interpreted as a step towards closer military cooperation between the two countries ,as India is gearing up to acquire 26 new Rafale M fighter jets that will fit into India’s maritime military plans .
India and France had consensus on 63 bilateral issues and they inked a very significant defense deal.PM Modi was received earlier by Prime minister Borne at the airport in a special gesture .A ceremonial welcome and guard of honor were accorded to Prime minister Modi upon his arrival .Modi and Borne discussed furthering cooperation in various areas such as economic and trade ,energy ,environment ,education ,mobility, railways ,digital public infrastructure ,musicology and people to people ties .
Modi has also productive meeting with Senate president Larcher and the two leaders deliberated on a range of issues of mutual interest and both agreed to work together to deepen India-France cooperation in a number of areas .Modi also interacted with children and members of Indian Diaspora.
PM Modi said that world is moving towards new world order and the role and capability of India is changing fast .Addressing the Indian community at La Seine Musicale ,Modi referred to India’s presidency of G20 and said more than 200 meetings are being held across the country .Making a strong pitch for India’s permanent membership in the united Nations Security Council PM Modi said the primary UN body cannot claim to be speaking for the world when its most populous country and the largest democracy is not a permanent member.
Modi has paid an official visit to France and. Arab Emirates(UAE) .He visited Paris from July 13-14 at the invitation of president of France Emmanuel Macron .The PM was the guest of honor at the Bastille day Parade on July 14,where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent participated.PM held formal talks with the president Macron .Macron hosted a state Banquet as well as a private dinner in honor of the prime minister.PM also met Prime minister of France as well as the presidents of the senate and the National Assembly of France .
He interacted with the Indian Diaspora in France ,CEO’s of Indian and French companies and eminent French personalities .The year 2023 marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership and prime minister’s visit will provided an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic ,cultural ,scientific ,academic and economic cooperation .Prime minister will thereafter ,visit Abu Dhabi on July 15.
He will hold talks with HH Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ,president of UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi .The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and PM Modi ‘s visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy ,education ,healthcare ,food security ,fintech ,defense and culture .
It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues ,particularly in the context of UAE’s presidency of COP -28 of the UNFCCC and India’s G20 presidency in which UAE is a special invitee.PM Modi will visit UAE after concluding his two day visit to Paris .He will hold wide –ranging talks with Sheokh Mohmed bin Zayed Al Nahyan ,president of the united Arab Eirates and ruler of Abu Dhabi ,to take forward bilateral ties in key areas of energy ,food security and defense .’’
The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has been steadily strengthening and ther PM’s will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy ,education ,healthcare ,food security ,fintech ,defense and culture ,’’the MEA said.PM Modi visited France and will also visit UAE on return from France to take forward cooperation with both the countries in areas ranging from defense and security to energy .Modi was the chief guest at military parade considered a signal honour ,and the last foreign leader who was invited was US president Donald Trump in 2017 .
A 269 member Indian tri-services participated in the parade and three French –origin Rafale combat jets of the Indian Air Force also joined a flypast and added color to the parade .Macron and Modi held formal talks on a wide range of subjects and issues of bilateral and international issues .
Modi also met his French counterpart Elisabeth Bore and talked on bilateral issues..Defense was the focus area during Modi’s visit to Paris .The two leaders signed agreements to pave way for the India buying 26 Rafale-Marine combat jets for the navy and building three more Scorpene –class submarines .India’s defense acquisition council –DAC headed by defense minister Rajnath Singh is expected to accord acceptance of necessity –AON .
Modi also met the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly .People familiar with the matter said several agreements to enhance defense cooperation between India and France are expected to be finalized during the visit ,including those for acquiring 26 naval variants of the Rafle combat jets .or Rafale Marine and three Scorpene class submarines ,and another for joint development of an engine for fighter jets with French aircraft equipment manufacturer Safaran .
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership and the external affairs ministry said Modi will ‘’provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic ,cultural ,scientific ,academic and economic cooperation. ’’From France Modi travelled to Abu Dhabi and held talks with president of UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi .
In brief PM Modi’s visit to France and UAE will further cement and strenghten ties between India, France and UAE.
(The author is a columnist, social and KP activist)
