Highlights of PM Modi’s Visit to France and UAE
PM Narendra Modi visited France and UAE, signing key agreements, including one for opening a new IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi, and receiving honors like the adoption of India's UPI system in France a
Prime Minister Narendra Modi visited France on 13th and 14th July 2023 to attend its national day also known as Bastille Day celebrations as a Guest of Honour. During his visit, India-France agreed on intensifying maritime cooperation, working closely to end plastic pollution, offering development solutions to the countries of the Indo-Pacific region etc. The two nations also agreed on improving cooperation in areas, such as space, science, health and medicine, aviation, etc. PM Modi also attended an India-France CEOs Forum meeting along with France President Emmanuel Macron. A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent participated in the Bastille Day parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the flypast on the occasion along with French jets. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a marble inlay work table to his French counterpart Elisabeth Borne. Prime Minister Narendra Modi today gifted a saree made of a special fabric in a sandalwood box to French President Emmanuel Macron's wife Brigitte Macron. Prime Minister Narendra Modi gifted a unique replica of a Sitar, made of pure sandalwood with carvings, to French President Emmanuel Macron. PM Modi was conferred with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, the highest award in France by President Emmanuel Macron.
In a proud moment, India's flagship instant payment system, Unified Payments Interface (UPI), will now be used in France. Bhutan, Nepal, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have already adopted UPI. Now France is the 4th country. PM Modi said the service will start from the Eiffel Tower, allowing Indian tourists to pay in Rupees. From France, PM Modi went to Abu Dhabi, UAE on 15th July 2023 for a day-long visit. He met UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. PM Modi received a ceremonial welcome at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi. The UAE President served a full vegetarian meal and contained no dairy or egg products at the banquet he hosted in honour of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During PM Modi’s UAE visit, a lot of key agreements were signed. A MoU was signed to open a new IIT Delhi campus in Abu Dhabi. India and UAE also agreed to promote using local currencies for cross-border transactions and to interlink payment systems. Also, a video showing Burj Khalifa has gone viral. The video opens to show the Burj Khalifa lighting up in the colours of the Indian flag. As the video progresses, it also shows a picture of PM Modi. The video ends with a message that reads, “Welcome honourable Prime Minister Narendra Modi”. After his 2 nation visit, PM Modi returned back to Delhi on 15th July 2023.
