Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been conferred with the highest honour of France, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by French President Emmanuel Macron. Tweeting the photographs of Macron conferring the award, the Minister of External Affairs spokesperson said, "A warm gesture embodying the spirit of India-France partnership." Notably, PM Modi was accorded a red-carpet welcome as he arrived in Paris on a two-day visit on Thursday. He will join Macron for the French National Day celebrations on Friday as the Guest of Honour.
MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted photographs from the award ceremony that took place at the Elysee Palace, saying, “A warm gesture embodying the spirit of partnership. PM @narendramodi conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France by President @EmmanuelMacron".
"Prime minister thanked President Macron for this singular honour on behalf of the people of India,” the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said in a statement. According to PTI, the French President and First Lady Brigitte Macron hosted a private dinner for the Prime Minister at the Elysee Palace.
On Thursday evening, the PM addressed the Indian diaspora in France and announced an agreement for the use of UPI in France, opening a huge new market for Indian innovation in cashless instant payment.
In his nearly an hour-long speech to an enthusiastic crowd at the La Seine Musicale -- a performing arts centre on an island in the river Seine -- PM Modi outlined India's fast-paced development, reported PTI. He asserted that while the world is moving towards a new order, India's strength and role is also changing very quickly.
PM Modi also announced the opening of a new Indian consulate in Marseille in France and told that Indian students doing masters in the European country will now get five-year-long post-study work visas.
Speaking on France celebrating its national day, the PM said he has been to the country many a time but it was special this time. He lauded the strength of ties between the two countries, which mark the 25th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
PM Modi also appealed to the diaspora members to invest in India, noting that global experts are recognising the country's attractiveness as an investment destination and the country is taking rapid strides in development, the PTI report further said.