President of France Emmanuel Macron called on President of India Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan on Saturday.
President Kovind in a tweet said: “This is also the 10th separate visit by a French President to India. The first occurred when President Giscard d’Estaing met President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy in January 1980.”
President @EmmanuelMacron is the sixth French President to visit Rashtrapati Bhavan. This is also the 10th separate visit by a French President to India. The first occurred when President Giscard d’Estaing met President Neelam Sanjiva Reddy in January 1980 🇮🇳🇫🇷 pic.twitter.com/CrRDLqApdS
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 10, 2018
While welcoming Macron to India, Kovind said India accorded high priority to its strategic partnership with France. “Our traditional friendship is firmly rooted in the excellent bilateral understanding and mutual respect that we have. Our shared values of democracy, liberty, equality and fraternity bring us even closer.”
India accords high priority to its strategic partnership with France. Our traditional friendship is firmly rooted in excellent bilateral understanding and mutual respect. Our shared values of democracy, liberty, equality and fraternity bring us even closer #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 10, 2018
Kovind said that India’s strategic ties with France have been expanding not just in traditional sectors of defence, space and civil nuclear energy but also in the emerging areas of counter-terrorism and maritime and cyber-security. “Our economic collaboration is on course. But we can do much better. Our bilateral trade of about US$ 11 billion is far below potential. We need to diversify our trade basket and look for new avenues to boost trade,” the President said.
President Kovind was happy to note that close to 1,000 French companies have invested in India. He said that “we value these investments and would encourage France to associate with our flagship initiatives such as Make in India, Skill India and Digital India”.
Happy to note that close to 1,000 French companies have invested in India. We value these investments and would encourage France to associate with our flagship initiatives such as Make in India, Skill India and Digital India #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 10, 2018
The President said, “India commends France’s efforts in the global fight against climate change. The two countries stand together in this endeavour. Tomorrow, we are co-hosting the International Solar Alliance and the presence of the French President at the founding conference will take our climate partnership to newer heights.”
President Kovind expressed hope that this Alliance will be able to make a mark globally in bridging the gap in affordable and clean energy.
India commends France’s efforts in the global fight against climate change. The two countries stand together in this endeavour. The presence of @EmmanuelMacron at the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance will take our climate partnership to newer heights
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) March 10, 2018