Describing it as a "historic moment", Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurated a new Indian Consulate in Marseille, southern France this week. Modi recounted Marseille’s history as an important base for Indian troops during the First World War, with the port city also holding a close link with the freedom fighter Veer Savarkar.
Ahead of the opening of the consulate, PM Modi and Macron were welcomed with the beats of the dhol. The duo also interacted with the members of the Indian diaspora.
"The Indian community is very enthusiastic about a new Consulate in Marseille," said Modi.
Earlier, both leaders visited the Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseille and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who lost their lives during World Wars I and II. They laid wreaths to honour the sacrifices of the fallen.
“The Mazargues War Cemetery preserves the history of valour and sacrifice of Indian soldiers who fought for peace in Europe. Their saga continues to inspire many. The Cemetery commemorates the deep people-to-people links that continue to nurture India-France ties,” the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in a statement.
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This was followed by a joint visit by Modi and Macron to the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor [ITER] in Cadarache, near Marseille, the first visit by any Head of State or Head of Government to one of the most ambitious collaborative nuclear fusion energy projects in the world today.
“India is among the seven ITER members contributing to the project over the last two decades. Around 200 Indian scientists and associates, as well as notable industry players such as L&T, Inox India, TCS, TCE, HCL Technologies, among others, are engaged in the ITER project,” the MEA said.
After concluding the French leg of his overseas visit, the Indian PM made his way to the US for talks with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington DC. This will be the first visit of Prime Minister Modi to the United States since Trump’s inauguration last month for the second term.
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"Although this will be our first meeting following his historic electoral victory and inauguration in January, I have a very warm recollection of working together in his first term in building a Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership between India and the US," PM Modi said ahead of the important visit.
"This visit will be an opportunity to build upon the successes of our collaboration in his first term and develop an agenda to further elevate and deepen our partnership, including in the areas of technology, trade, defence, energy, and supply chain resilience. We will work together for the mutual benefit of the people of our two countries and shape a better future for the world," he added.
(*With ANI Inputs)
