Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday met Prince Albert II, the Head of the State of Monaco who arrived here in India on Monday for a week-long official visit.
In their meeting, the two leaders exchanged views on enhancing cooperation, especially in environment and climate change and renewable energy.
MEA spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said that PM Modi warmly welcomed the Prince ahead of the bilateral meeting.
“India and Monaco established diplomatic relations in 2007, though our friendship goes back much further in time,” Kumar tweeted.
Earlier today, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj called on Prince Albert II at New Delhi.
The two leaders discussed opportunities for cooperation in areas of environment, especially renewable energy, investment into India, smart cities, marine ecosystems, tourism, and people-to-people contacts.
Before meeting the PM and Swaraj, the Prince paid tributes at Mahatma Gandhi’s smadhi at Raj Ghat.
The 60-year-old Prince, who is on his first official visit to India, is accompanied by a high-level delegation.
The MEA said that official engagements will include meetings with the political leadership and attending a business event.
He will also visit Udaipur in Rajasthan before heading home on Sunday.
Prince Albert II, who is the reigning monarch of the Principality of Monaco, is the son of Prince Rainier III and the American actress Grace Kelly. He succeeded his father upon the latter’s death on 6 February 2005.
He is one of the wealthiest royals in the world, with assets valued at more than $1 billion and is also the head of one of the richest charities in the world.