FRANCE : French President Emmanuel Macron awarded the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor to PM Narendra Modi. It is the highest French honor in military or civil orders. PM Modi is the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this honour.
After addressing the Indian community, PM Modi reached the Elysee Palace in Paris to attend a state dinner with French President Emmanuel Macron. During this both of them hugged warmly. On PM Modi’s arrival for the dinner, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi tweeted, “A meeting with a close friend. PM Narendra Modi was warmly received by President Emmanuel Macron for a private dinner at the historic Elysee Palace. It is an opportunity for the two countries to further strengthen their bonds of friendship and cherish the deep Indo-French ties.”
The prime minister is on a two-day state visit to France. He will be the Guest of Honour French National Day (Bastille Day) celebrations to be held on Friday. On the occasion, Indian Air Force aircraft will perform a fly-past.
After landing in Paris on Thursday, the Indian diaspora met the prime minister in Paris. They gave a warm welcome to PM Modi while raising slogans “Vande Mataram” and “Bharat Mata Ki Jai”.
PM Modi told good news for Indian students from France. For Indian students studying in France, the PM said, ‘Last time when I came to France, it was decided that Indian students studying in France would be given a 2-year post study work visa. Now it has also been decided that a 5-year long term post study work visa will be given to an Indian doing Masters in France.
