Defence, counter terrorism, Solar Alliance and Atmanirbhar Bharat "objectives" of PM Modi's visit to France: Foreign Secy Kwatra

PM Modi takes the battle to global stage, questions 'relevance' of the United Nations

"How can the UN Security Council claim to speak for the world when its most populous country, and its largest democracy, is not a permanent member?" he asks in an interview to a French newspaper. 

Namo with Indian diaspora: Paris 

"The rights of the Global South have been long denied. As a result, there is a feeling of anguish among the members of Global South...I see India being that strong shoulder that if Global South has to make that high jump, India can be that shoulder....," says PM Modi.

"For the Global South, India can also build its linkages with Global North. So, in that sense, this shoulder can become this bridge of sorts," Modi said. 

On his vision for India in 2047, the 100th anniversary of its independence, PM said he wanted India to become a developed country. 

"India will be a global leader in innovation and technology. Our economy will be a hub of opportunities, an engine for global growth and its source of skills and talent. We will help advance a more balanced multi-polar world".

Defence, counter terrorism, Solar Alliance and Atmanirbhar Bharat "objectives" of PM Modi's visit to France: Foreign Secy Kwatra

"Security cooperation, space cooperation, engagement in the civil-nuclear domain, technology partnership, partnership in the field of counterterrorism, cybersecurity, climate change.....International Solar Alliance, reorientation of our security partnership in line with Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat objectives, will all form part of discussions under the bilateral talks that PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron will have," Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra.  

"As you are all aware, India and France have a long-standing strategic partnership, which actually captures a series of strategic convergences that both countries have on a range of issues. And this year marks the 25th anniversary of our strategic partnership," he said adding, "There are several pillars of our strategic partnership, and each of these pillars would come up for stock-taking and the pathway ahead in terms of future cooperation in these areas". 

"This would be Prime Minister Modi's sixth visit to France. Prime Minister Modi and President Macron had their most recent meeting on the sidelines of G7 summit in Hiroshima in May this year. 

And as you are all aware, the two leaders have remained in very regular touch since they first met in June 2017. After Prime Minister reaches in Paris midday tomorrow, his first interaction would be with the Prime Minister of France during the remainder of day tomorrow, as also with the President of the French Senate, Mr. Gérard Larcher, on the same day. 

In the evening Prime Minister has an interaction scheduled with the Indian community, which would be followed by a private dinner to be hosted by President Macron at Elysee Palace in honour of the Prime Minister.

The major official and ceremonial part of the visit will start on the 14th, which is with the Prime Minister's participation at the French National Day celebrations, Bastille Day. This is a very, very special gesture extended by France to Prime Minister Modi.

"After concluding his visit to France, the Prime Minister would depart for UAE and reach there on 15th of July, where he will meet His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, to be followed by ceremonial welcome, bilateral talks, and other events organized in honour of Prime Minister's visit to UAE."

"We have all seen in front of our eyes in the last few years a significant transformation that has taken place in India-UAE relations, and a central driver of this has been the vision of the two leaders, the President of the UAE and the Prime Minister of India. Both of them, of course, also enjoy excellent personal rapport, which is reflected in their very frequent engagements. They last met in June in Abu Dhabi when PM visited UAE while on his return from the G7 summit in Munich. 

They have since, of course, also met in many virtual platforms, including the last one in July last year during the I2U2 summit.

"As you would all be aware that in February 22, during the virtual summit, the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement between India and UAE was signed. A joint vision statement was also issued at that time. We have seen a significant jump, qualitative enhancement in the substance of our engagement across the whole range of areas since the signing of the CEPA, and the partnership has continued to grow from strength to strength."

" This is particularly reflected in the strong economic exchanges, both on the trade side but also on the investment side, people-to-people ties, and also convergence on a range of regional and international issues. Bilateral trade is currently at a very strong $85 billion between India and UAE, making UAE India's third-largest trading partner last year, and India's second-largest export destination is UAE. Also, very substantial large sums of FDI flows from UAE have taken place to India, making UAE the fourth-largest overall investor in India." - Foreign Secretary Kwatra 

PM's statement on UAE visit

From Paris, I will be travelling to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, for an Official Visit on July 15. I look forward to meeting my friend, H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

"Our two countries are engaged across a wide range of sectors such as trade, investments, energy, food security, science & technology, education, fintech, defence, security, and robust people-to-people ties. Last year, President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed and I agreed on a Roadmap on the future of our partnership, and I look forward to discussing with him how to further deepen our ties."

UAE will be hosting the 28th Conference of Parties of the UNFCCC (COP-28) later this year. I also look forward to exchanging views on strengthening global cooperation towards accelerating climate action to facilitate the energy transition and implementation of the Paris Agreement.

I am confident that my visit to UAE will usher in a new chapter in our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership."