French President wants to boost student exchange with India

French President Emmanuel Macron on Saturday said he wants to double the exchange of students between India and France.

While interacting with the students at Delhi's Bikaner House, the French President said, "I want to double the number of Indian students coming to France and also want to increase the number of French students going to India."

Earlier today, French President met with his Indian counterpart, Ram Nath Kovind, at Rashtrapati Bhavan.

Welcoming the French President to India, President Kovind said, "India accords 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."

"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 added.

President Kovind expressed hope that this Alliance will be able to make a mark globally in bridging the gap in affordable and clean energy.

President Macron arrived in India on Thursday for a four-day visit.

The last visit of President Macron to India was in January 2016, when he was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations.

Prime Minister Modi had visited France in June last year.