- Thursday, February 27, 2025
The Indian prime minister’s visit also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France.
By: Shubham Ghosh
BUSINESS leaders from France have welcomed prime minister Narendra Modi’s upcoming two-day visit to the European country this week, which is expected to bolster economic, defence and strategic cooperation between the two nations.
Modi will be present at the Bastille Day celebrations as the guest of honour. The day, also known as French National Day, commemorates the storming of the Bastille in 1789, marking a defining moment in the French Revolution that followed.
The tri-services contingent from India, including the Indian Air Force aircraft, will also participate in the event.
Benoit Bazin, chief executive officer of Saint Gobain, a French multinational company, said in a tweet how India has been an important country as far as their growth strategy is concerned.
“We are delighted to welcome prime minister Modi in France as a guest of honour for the Bastille Day celebrations. We value these 25 years of strategic partnership between France and India, a country of significant importance for Saint Gobain’s growth strategy,” he said.
[#Event]
?On the occasion of France’s National day, it's a pleasure to welcome @PMOindia @Narendramodi, as guest of honor for #BastilleDay celebrations.
??For 25 years now, India has been a country of significant importance for #SaintGobain’s growth strategy.
?@IndiaembFrance pic.twitter.com/cIxxX6VE6o— Saint-Gobain (@saintgobain) July 10, 2023
Henri Poupart-Lafarge, CEO of Alstom, another French multinational, said in a tweet that he is looking forward to the Indian leader’s visit.
President and CEO of @Alstom welcomes PM @Narendramodi ahead of his historic visit to France. Alstom is a ?? multinational transport company specializing in railways, metros and mobility solutions.@PMOIndia @jawedashraf5@meaindia @IndiaembFrance@Cimgoi @DDIndiaLive@PIB_India pic.twitter.com/qQ9P04Fswr
— India in France (@IndiaembFrance) July 11, 2023
Pierre-Eric Pommellet, chairman and CEO of France’s Naval Group, said, “Namaste! France and India share a common understanding and mutual appreciation of strategic autonomy and self reliance.”
⚓ ??x?? We are honoured to welcome the ?? PM @narendramodi on ?? #BastilleDay. This is an opportunity for us to celebrate our strategic relationship with India, which has lasted for over 2️⃣5️⃣ years ! ?#IndoFrenchpartnership #AarmanirbharBharat pic.twitter.com/bxOHdkCFUT
— Naval Group (@navalgroup) July 11, 2023
Peter Herweck, CEO of Schneider Electric, a digital automation company headquartered in France’s Rueil-Malmaison, also welcomed Modi to France.
Peter Herweck, CEO of @SchneiderElec welcomes PM @narendramodi to #France.
Schneider Electric has invested handsomely in India & has planned to add 5 new factories to its existing 30 factories in India as part of its plan to cater to the country's growing clean energy demand pic.twitter.com/yHrzJPZtXn
— Modi Bharosa (@ModiBharosa) July 11, 2023
The invitation to Modi to be present at the Bastille Day celebrations as the guest of honour is unique as Paris does not often invite foreign leaders on the occasion. The last time this happened was in 2017 when then president Donald Trump was invited.
The Indian prime minister’s visit also coincides with the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between India and France, one of the South Asian nation’s key strategic partners.
While Modi will meet top political leaders of France during his visit, including president Emmanuel Macron and prime minister Elisabeth Borne, he will also attend a private meeting and joint meetings with business leaders. Macron will also host a dinner for Modi at the iconic Louvre Museum on Bastille Day.
Trade and economy are set to receive a strong focus during the Indian PM’s visit with a CEO forum featuring big names from both sides. Besides bilateral issues, it will also see what New Delhi and Paris can do on global issues.
Modi’s France visit comes less than a month after his maiden state visit to the US where he was hosted by president Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden besides addressing a joint session of the US Congress for the second time in seven years.
