Francois Hollande to lay foundation stone of ISA headquarters

The ISA is a specialized platform for cooperation among 121 solar resource rich countries which is aimed at promotion of solar energy

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Francois Hollande will jointly inaugurate the interim secretariat of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) here today.

The French President will also lay the foundation stone of the headquarters of the ISA during the event, which will be held at the National Institute of Solar Energy in Gurgaon.

The ISA is a specialized platform for cooperation among 121 solar resource rich countries which is aimed at increasing utilisation and promotion of solar energy.

The Paris declaration on International Solar Alliance states that countries share the collective ambition to undertake innovative and concerted efforts for reducing the cost of finance and cost of technology for immediate deployment of competitive solar generation.

Hollande arrived in Chandigarh yesterday where he was received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi following which they took a tour of the Rock Garden.

On Monday, Hollande will be accorded a ceremonial reception at the forecourts of Rashtrapati Bhawan.

Later, he will hold bilateral talks with Prime Minister Modi at the Hyderabad House, which will be followed by signing of agreements in various key sectors.

On January 26, the French President will witness the Republic Day parade at Rajpath as the chief guest. This is the fifth time that a serving President of France will be the Chief Guest at India's Republic Day function.