Modi, Macron Inaugurate UP’s Biggest Solar Plant in Mirzapur
PM Modi broke protocol once again to personally receive French President Macron at the airport.
French President Macron Arrives in New Delhi for 4-Day Visit
Marking 20 years of an Indo-France strategic partnership, French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte arrived in New Delhi on 9 March for a four-day visit.
(With PTI and ANI inputs)
Rafale Deal, Other Arms to Be Discussed
The controversial Rafale deal – with India inking a deal to buy 36 French-made Rafale fighter jets, which is significantly lesser than the 126 that had originally been agreed upon – is expected to arise as well, PTI reported.
According to the report, Macron will also offer a pitch on the quality of Airbus helicopters and Scorpene submarines to the Indian audience, considering India’s reputation of being one of the biggest arms buyers in the world.
Macron Itinerary
According to PTI, while the main objective of Macron’s visit to India seems to be to hold bilateral talks between the two nations, he will attend a series of summits, including a solar power summit on 11 March.
Macron will also inaugurate a solar energy project in Uttar Pradesh, before travelling to Varanasi on 12 March.
Climate Change, Energy and Renewables to be Part of Talks
According to Livemint, discussions will be held on the topics of climate change, energy and renewables, besides bilateral cooperation.
According to the report, the leaders of the two nations will join the heads of state and government from more than 25 countries, to seek cheaper technologies and easier sources of funding at the founding ceremony of the International Solar Alliance, which is to take place in New Delhi on 11 March.
Macron Wants France to Become India's New European Partner
French President Macron on Thursday said that he wanted France to replace Britain as India’s partner-of-choice in Europe, reports Reuters.
Speaking about India’s need to be more involved in the operations of Europe and the European Union, Macron in an interview with India Today, he said: "I want France to become the reference partner of the 21st century."
This is also in line with the fact that India, Reuters reports, was the third-largest source of foreign direct investment into Britain in 2015, which helped it obtain its position as one of Europe's top destination for foreign direct investment.
However, India was only the 30th largest investor in France, according to the 2013 Bank of France, the report adds.
(With inputs from Reuters)
French President Emmanuel Macron Lands in India
French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte landed in New Delhi on Friday, 9 March for a four-day India visit.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi broke protocol to personally receive Macron at the airport.
Ahead of Macron-Modi's UP Visit, CM Adityanath Checks Preparations
Ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Varanasi on Monday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, on 9 March, went to the Uttar Pradesh city to take stock of preparations for the high-profile visit.
The visiting dignitaries will reach the Lal Bahadur Shastri Airport around 10.25 am and after a brief break, will fly in a chopper to Dadarkalan in Mirzapur.
Adityanath met district officials and the police top brass and understood the travel plans of the French President and assessed the preparedness of the visit, an official said.
Ceremonial Welcome for Macron at Rashtrapati Bhavan
Ceremonial welcome given to French President Macron at Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Macron Pays Tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat
French President Emmanuel Macron and wife Brigitte Macron paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
French President Macron Met EAM Sushma Swaraj
After a ceremonial reception at the Rasjtrapati Bhavan and paying a tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat, French President Emmanuel Macron met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
Macron-Modi Hold Delegation-Level Talks at Hyderabad House
French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Narendra Modi met at Hyderabad House to hold delegation-level talks.
The two leaders will address the press following the meeting at Ball Room in Hyderabad House.
India-France Ink 14 Agreements, Pledge to Fight Terrorism Together
India and France inked key pacts in the strategic areas of security, nuclear energy as well as protection of classified information after extensive talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
Agreements in the field of education, environment, urban development and railways were also signed in the presence of the two leaders.
Addressing a joint media event with Macron, Modi said the two countries have robust cooperation in the fields of defence and security.
Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance, the French President said.
Both the leaders also talked about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region.
Macron Meets Prez Kovind
French President Emmanuel Macron met President Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Macron Interacts With Students
President Macron interacted with students at Delhi's Bikaner House.
Macron Opens the International Solar Alliance (ISA)
With an aim to promote clean energy, leaders of 23 countries have gathered at New Delhi’s Rashtrapati Bhavan to attend the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA). President Macron kicked off the summit with his counterpart President Ram Nath Kovind, with a speech urging the visiting dignitaries to make concrete announcements on what they are doing to generate solar energy in their countries.
Macron Will Meet Rahul Gandhi on Sunday
French President Emmanuel Macron is scheduled to meet Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday.
Macron Visits Taj Mahal in Agra
French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Taj Mahal in Agra, along with his wife Brigitte Macron, on Sunday, 11 March.
PM Modi to Receive French President Macron in Varanasi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will receive French President Emmanuel Macron in Varanasi on Monday, 12 March.
The duo is expected to inaugurate a solar power plant in Mirzapur. The two will then interact with artisans in the Deen Dayal Hastkala Sankul – a trade facilitation centre for handicrafts.
They are also expected to take a boat ride along the Ganga from the Assi Ghat, which will end at the Dashashwamedh Ghat, reported ANI.
Visuals from Varanasi
Visuals of the Mirzapur Solar Power Plant
PM Modi Arrives in Varanasi
PM Modi has arrived in Varanasi, from where he will visit the Mirzapur 100 W solar power plant with French President Emmanuel Macron.
French President Macron Arrives in Varanasi
French President Macron arrived in Varanasi, and was received by PM Modi. The duo is set to attend multiple events in Uttar Pradesh on Monday.
Modi, Macron Arrive in Mirzapur
PM Modi and French President Macron arrived at Mirzapur to inaugurate the 100W solar power plant.
Modi, Macron Inaugurate Mirzapur Solar Power Plant
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday inaugurated Uttar Pradesh's biggest solar power plant in Mirzapur district's Chhanvey block.
The prime minister, Uttar Pradesh Governor Ram Naik and Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath received the French president and his wife Brigitte at the airstrip in Dadar Kalan village.
Built at a cost of around Rs 500 crore by French firm ENGIE, the 75 MW solar plant has come up at Dadar Kalan village on the hilly terrain of the Vindhyas range. Some 1,18,600 solar panels have been set up in over 380 acres.
Power would be transmitted to Jigna sub-station of Mirzapur range of Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd, officials said.
The plant will generate 15.6 crore units of electricity annually, about 1.30 crore units per month.
Macron's Boat Ride in Varanasi
French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday enjoyed a boat ride with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on the Ganga with a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the temple city.
Macron was given a traditional welcome with showering of flower petals, a Shehnai recital and chanting of mantras before he took a decked-up boat which ferried him, Modi and Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath between Assi and Dashwamedh ghats.
People and school-leaders gathered in large numbers along the ghats waving flags of India and France while artistes enacted scenes from Ramleela and the episode of first sermon by Lord Buddha to his five disciples.
Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted pictures of the boat ride and described the friendship between the two countries as full of "vibrant energy".
The French President himself tweeted about his visit to the culturally rich City in Uttar Pradesh, thanking Varanasi for the experience.
Cong President Rahul Gandhi Met with Macron on Sunday
Congress President Rahul Gandhi met French President Emmanuel Macron on Sunday and discussed with him issues that affect liberal democracies including fake news.
The Congress chief, however, did not raise the Rafale fighter jet deal with Macron, party sources said.
The Congress has been attacking the BJP government on the defence deal, accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of causing loss to the state exchequer by buying the fighter jets at inflated rate.
"Yesterday, I met with French President @EmmanuelMacron. We discussed a range of issues common to our liberal democracies, including fake news.
"I look forward to building on this meeting and to collaborating with him on global challenges such as Climate Change," Gandhi tweeted on Monday, posting a picture with Singh and Macron.
"India is Honoured to Host You," PM Modi to Macron
As French President Emmanuel Macron concluded his visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted saying that he is happy that he was able to host the French President.
French President Emmanuel Macron was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi upon his arrival in India on 9 March.
The French President held delegation–level talks with PM Modi on 10 March, after Macron’s ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi.
Both Modi and Macron attended the International Solar Alliance on 11 March following which Macron met with Congress President Rahul Gandhi. Macron also visited the Taj Mahal with wife Brigitte on the same day.
On 12 March, Macron visited Uttar Pradesh for inaugurating the Mirzapur Solar Power Plant with PM Modi after which, he took a boat ride on river Ganga in Varanasi to catch a glimpse of the rich cultural heritage of the temple city.
Emmanuel Macron concluded his India visit on 12 March.
- PM Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron also visited Varanasi on Monday
- French President Emmanuel Macron inaugurated the Mirzapur solar power plant on 12 March
- Macron met with Congress president Rahul Gandhi on Sunday, 11 March
- India and France inked 14 pacts to boost cooperation, including in security and nuclear energy, after Modi-Macron talks on Saturday
- Macron and wife Brigitte received a ceremonial welcome at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday
All live updates from Emmanuel Macron’s India tour:
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