Modi receives French President ahead of talks

Prime Minister Narendra Modi received French President Emmanuel Macron at Hyderabad House here on Saturday ahead of bilateral talks between India and France.

"Another chapter in the glorious book of our friendship! PM @narendramodi welcomes President of France, @EmmanuelMacron at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi ahead of the bilateral talks," External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

A number of agreements across multiple sectors are expected to be signed following the talks.

Earlier in the day, Macron was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Rashtrapati Bhavan here following which he told the assembled media that France should be the best partner for India and the entry point to Europe.

Later, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj also called on the visiting dignitary.

Macron arrived here on Friday on a four-day visit to India during the course of which he will co-chair the founding conference of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) with Modi on Sunday.

The ISA is conceived as a coalition of solar resource-rich countries to address their special energy needs and provide a platform to collaborate on dealing with the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach.

During the course of his stay in India, Macron will also visit Agra and Varanasi and have a town hall interaction with students in New Delhi.

During his visit to Varanasi on Monday, he will inaugurate a 75 MW solar plant built by French firm Engie Solar in Mirzapur in Uttar Pradesh.

This is Macron's first visit to India after he assumed office in May in 2017.

--IANS

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