New Delhi:
French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday received ceremonial reception at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
During the ceremonial welcome, Macron said, “I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have a historic relationship.”
Earlier on Friday night, Macron arrived in India on a four-day state visit and PM Modi himself reached Delhi Airport to receive him.
During the visit, the two countries are likely to boost ties in several areas including maritime security and counter-terrorism.
An agreement on the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, which is being built with French assistance, is expected to be signed during the visit, sources here said.
Stepping up cooperation in the Indian Ocean region will be one of the top issues that will be discussed by Macron and Prime Minister Modi during delegation-level talks on Saturday.
Also Read | French President Emmanuel Macron arrives in India, gets PM Modi's welcome hug
“France has particularly supported India’s perspective on terror in South Asia. We are seeing convergence in new areas, particularly maritime security, counter-terrorism and renewable energy,” K Nagraj Naidu, joint secretary (Europe-west), told reporters.
Besides defence, cooperation in the areas of nuclear energy and space are the other pillars of the strategic partnership between India and France. Besides conventional areas, thrust would also be on renewable energy, high-speed train and stepping cooperation in trade.
Here are the live updates:
#07:59 PM: President of France Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte Macron received by President Ram Nath Kovind, First Lady of India Savita Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. They will take part in International Solar Alliance.
President of France #EmmanuelMacron and his wife Brigitte Macron received by President Ram Nath Kovind, First Lady of India Savita Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and PM Narendra Modi at Rashtrapati Bhavan. #InternationalSolarAlliance pic.twitter.com/oV5l5evVfB
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
#05:44 PM:
French President #EmmanuelMacron after concluding the interaction with students at #Delhi's Bikaner House. pic.twitter.com/zvqHkOKHzE
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
#05:22 PM: I want to double the number of Indian students coming to France and also want to increase the number of French students going to India: French President Emmanuel Macron
#05:00 PM: Most of the issues we have today, on climate, on terrorism are because of the short term vision of most of the leaders. They were greedy: French President Emmanuel Macron
#04:58 PM: We're in middle of revolution on digital era & climate change. We need more speediness. What we need is change in mindset, facilitate entrepreneurship, increase risk takers' numbers.Artificial Intelligence is big game changer but you need to start it from ground: French President
#04:50 PM: I think we need more exchange between our people, our students. I want most of the researchers to come to France and I am happy to be here today: French President Emmanuel Macron.
I think we need more exchange between our people, our students. I want most of the researchers to come to France and I am happy to be here today: French President #EmmanuelMacron pic.twitter.com/2AZnXxw3Ul
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
#04:45 PM: President of France Emmanuel Macron interacting with students at Delhi's Bikaner House
#04:00 PM: French President Emmanuel Macron met President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
French President #EmmanuelMacron met President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. #Delhi pic.twitter.com/BVF4uPkRl7
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
# 03:19 PM: PM Narendra Modi and President of France Emmanuel Macron at CEOs' Forum in Delhi.
PM Narendra Modi and President of France Emmanuel Macron at CEOs' Forum in #Delhi. pic.twitter.com/kXLHG4z9m6
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
# 01:36 PM: We want our (India & France) youth to know each other's countries, in this direction we have signed two agreements today. We believe our people to people relations are significant for the bright future of India-France bilateral ties: Modi
We want our (India & France) youth to know each other's countries, in this direction we have signed two agreements today: PM Modi pic.twitter.com/d4yOZx27sX
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
# 01:35 PM: Liberty, equality and fraternity not only echo in France, but are also deeply embedded in India's constitution: PM Modi
# 01:26 PM: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to explore ways to deepen bilateral cooperation, including in the fields of defence, security, trade and investment. 14 agreements signed
# 01:25 PM: WATCH PM Modi and French President Macron issue a joint statement
#WATCH PM Modi and French President Macron issue a joint statement https://t.co/XyMamvNxL9
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
# 11:40 AM: French President Macron and PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House in Delhi
Delhi: French President #EmmanuelMacron and PM Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House pic.twitter.com/sztCMbslqE
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
# 10:30 AM: French President Emmanuel Macron meets External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in Delhi.
Delhi: French President #EmmanuelMacron meets EAM Sushma Swaraj pic.twitter.com/yNs1uR3ncL
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
# 10:00 AM: Tomorrow, PM Modi will co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President Emmanuel Macron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future.
#9:45 AM: French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Macron pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
Delhi: French President #EmmanuelMacron and wife Brigitte Macron pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat pic.twitter.com/GQhc1CEG6z
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
#9:30 AM: French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Macron with President Kovind, Savita Kovind and PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan
French President #EmmanuelMacron and wife Brigitte Macron with President Kovind,Savita Kovind and PM Modi at Rashtrapati Bhawan pic.twitter.com/kPsmaxtXjk
— ANI (@ANI) March 10, 2018
