Paris/New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi was on Monday evening welcomed warmly at the Élysée Palace by President Emmanuel Macron of France, as the two leaders exchanged warm hugs and clasped each other’s hands like old friends.
As soon as PM Modi alighted from his car at the Élysée Palace, the two leaders embraced like old friends, and later they held up their clasped hands together in a sign of unity.
PM Modi was attired in a long grey woolen kurta, with churidar, and a white woolen scarf draped around his neck.
PM Modi posted pictures on X of the two leaders exchanging a warm embrace:
“Delighted to meet my friend, President Macron in Paris”.
The PMO said that PM Modi also met with the US Vice President JD Vance at the dinner hosted by President Macron at Élysée Palace in honor of the visiting Heads of Government and Heads of State for the AI Summit.
The dinner is being attended by a large number of CEOs from the tech domain and other distinguished invitees.
The PMO said in a post on X:
“PM @narendramodi interacts with President @EmmanuelMacron and USA @VP @JDVance in Paris.”
Earlier, the PM was welcomed by an enthusiastic Indian diaspora crowd at his hotel in Paris, with many waving the Indian flag and shouting “Modi, Modi”.
The PM said on X:
“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!”
The PM arrived earlier in the evening on a three-day visit. He is visiting France at the invitation of President Macron. The PM will co-chair the Artificial Intelligence Summit along with President Macron on Tuesday and also hold bilateral talks with him.
The PM said in a post on X after his arrival:
“Landed in Paris a short while ago. Looking forward to the various programmes here, which will focus on futuristic sectors like AI, tech and innovation.”
The MEA spokesperson said in a post:
“PM @narendramodi arrived in Paris to a special welcome.
“Warmly received by Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu @SebLecornu of France at the airport.”
The PM was accorded a guard of honour upon his arrival in Paris, amid a rain-drenched evening.
