PM Modi leaves for France to meet President Macron on Saturday

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday left for France for the final leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe, after concluding his engagements with Russia.

"Thank you Russia. This eventful visit witnessed several programmes and fruitful meetings. It will further boost India-Russia friendship," Prime Minister Modi tweeted before leaving for France.

On Saturday, PM Modi will hold his first meeting with the newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris. The two leaders will be discussing UN Security Council Reforms, India's permanent membership in the UNSC, counter-terrorism, climate change and India's membership for multilateral export control and international Solar Alliance.

During his Russia visit, PM Narendra Modi and Russian President Vladimir Putin signed several agreements. Modi, as Prime Minister, attended for the first time, the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), an annual business and economic event hosted by the Russian President. Earlier in 2001, Modi, as Chief Minister of Gujarat, attended the SPIEF, being a part of the delegation of then Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee.

He also attended a collective meeting of Governors of 16 regions of Russia.

On the sidelines of the summit, Modi met UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Austrian Chancellor Christian Kern, and Chairman of the Eurasian Economic Union Tigran Sargasyan.

The Indian Prime Minister arrived at St.Petersburg on Wednesday on the third leg of his six-day, four-nation tour of Europe. Prior to Russia, he visited Germany and Spain.