French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday posted a video message wrapping Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recently-concluded visit to France. The video featured PM Modi receiving the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest French honour in civilian or military orders, besides the participation of Indian forces in the Bastille Day parade in Paris. “To the people of India, trust and friendship,” said the French President in the tweet. Earlier, on Friday, Macron shared a selfie with PM Modi on Twitter and captioned it “Long live the French-Indian friendship!”
“Dear Narendra, you do us the great honour of your presence on July 14th,” Macron said in the video message.
“Today we will continue to strengthen this historical relationship of trust between our two countries to deal with both international crises, as well as major global issues,” he added.
“Through you, I want to greet India's contribution to history as in the future of the world and tell you the friendly attachment that the French bring to your Nation and to your people,” Macron was heard saying in the nearly one-and-a-half minutes video.
“Thank you Prime Minister.”
The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on boosting the strategic ties between India and France.
Addressing a press conference after delegation-level talks with PM Modi, he said he felt proud to see the Punjab Regiment at the Bastille Day parade. “I was proud to see the Punjab Regiment here in the heart of Paris (at the Bastille Day parade). We are going ahead on the basis of a historic trust. Together we can find solutions for global crises,” news agency ANI quoted Macron as saying.
Speaking about the visa policy for Indian students wanting to study in France, he said, “We can't forget the youth. By 2030, we want to send 30,000 French students there (to India). For the young Indians who want to pursue higher education in France, we want to make a conducive visa policy.”