New Delhi. Where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is currently on his two-day France tour. On the other hand, today PM Modi has been specially awarded with the highest honor of France ‘The Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour’. On the matter, the Ministry of External Affairs told that, PM Modi was given this honor in the President’s Palace of France. Earlier, French President Emmanuel Macron hosted a private dinner for him late Thursday night.
“A warm gesture embodying the spirit of the India-France partnership. PM Narendra Modi conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France by President Emmanuel Macron,” tweets MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.
(Pic source: Arindam Bagchi’s twitter… pic.twitter.com/6LeoPsgBgo
— ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023
Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi also addressed the Indian community at La Seine Musical in Paris. He said here, ‘Coming to France is like coming home. Wherever the people of India go, they create a mini India. Today, India is playing its special role in the world order. India’s experience and efforts in dealing with every challenge are proving helpful to the world.
The Prime Minister said, “I was told that today in this function, there are many people who have traveled 11-11, 12-12 hours to reach here. What can be greater love than this, we know that in the era of technology, it is not a difficult task for anyone to sit at home and listen to live telecast on mobile phone, but in spite of that, people coming from far and wide in such a large number Take your time and come. It is a great fortune for me that I have got the opportunity to have darshan of all of you. I express my heartfelt gratitude to all of you for coming here.
Significantly, this visit of PM Modi has taken place at such a special time, when India-France strategic partnership has completed 25 wonderful years. At the same time, PM Modi has been invited as the chief guest on the National Day of France i.e. Bastille Day. Before PM Modi, in 2009, Manmohan Singh was the first Prime Minister of India, who was invited as the Chief Guest on Bastille Day.
This visit is also important because, on the other hand, the Defense Council has approved the proposal to buy 26 Rafale-M fighter aircraft from France for the Indian Navy. Apart from this, Navy will also buy 3 Scorpene class submarines from France.
