New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the French city of Marseille on Wednesday, where he said that freedom fighter vd “Veer” Savarkar tried a “courageous escape”. This will be the last day of his three -day visit to France, where he inaugurated the second Indian consulate in the country after the embassy in Paris. After completing the French tour, he will start an American visit on 13 February. He was welcomed in Paris on 10 February by an encouraging rise of the Indian community.
What is on the agenda today?
On the last day of his three-day France visitors are on the agenda programs to deepen the ties between India-French, such as the opening of India's second consulate in the country and a ceremony to pay tribute to soldiers who died in the first And Second World War on the Mazargues War Cemetery. Furthermore, Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will also follow a tour of the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, an international cooperation between nuclear fusion.
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France -Connection of India during British colonial rule
Premier Modi thanked the people of Marseille and French activists for their role about the Indian freedom struggle, when they “demanded that he was not transferred to the British detention”.
During British rule, Savarkar had tried to escape from the British ship Moreea in July 1910 while being brought to India for the trial. He escaped from the porthole of the ship, swam ashore and was returned to the British authorities by the French authorities who caught him. He was later sentenced to life imprisonment in Cellular Jail on the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
What happened on Tuesday?
PM Modi and Mr. Macron appealed to the AI Action Summit and the 14th CEOS forum of India-France in Paris. During the event, PM Modi said: “This is more than just a business event-it is a convergence of the smartest spirits from India and France. You embrace the mantra of innovation, cooperation and increase, causing the progress with objective with goal. In addition to forging boardroom connections, you actively strengthen the strategic partnership between India and France.
The AI Action Summit in Paris is a commendable attempt to bring world leaders, policy makers, thinkers, innovators and young people together to have meaningful conversations around AI. pic.twitter.com/ksxy0fhuit
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2025
He also underlined the deep trust and shared values between India and France, with reference to democratic values, innovation and serving people as the pillars of their friendship.
“India and France are not only connected by democratic values. Deep trust, innovation and serving people are the pillars of our friendship. Our relationship is not limited to only our two nations. Together we offer solutions for global global problems,” ” PM Modi added.
PM Modi also met us vice-president JD Vance and his wife from Indian-Origin together with their two young sons on the sidelines of the AI Action Summit. The prime minister saw bilateral conversations with Vance, while his wife watched Usha.
Had a great meeting with us @VP @Jdvance And his family. We had a great conversation about different topics. Happy to join them in celebrating their son's joyful birthday, Vivek! pic.twitter.com/GZPMT1JG5M
– Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2025
On the sidelines of the top he also met Secretary-General Antonio Guterres of the UN in Paris.
Why Marseille matters
Marseille is an important access gateway for trade between India and France because of the strategic location on the Mediterranean coast, it is also one of the access points for the India-Middle East-European Economic Corridor (IMEC).
