Modi to have bilateral discussions with Macron ahead of G7 summit

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France in August to attend the outreach session of the G7 summit will be preceded by a bilateral engagement with French President Emmanuel Macron, French Minister of State for Foreign Affairs Jean Baptiste Lemoyne said on Monday.

Lemoyne said on the sidelines of an event here that President Macron and Prime Minister Modi have "a strong relationship personally and a great mutual respect."

"That's why President Macron was very happy to invite Prime Minister Modi to join the G7 leaders' meeting in France at the end of August. This participation (of Modi) will be preceded by a bilateral visit that will add very important momentum in the relations," he said.

Lemoyne is the first French leader to visit India since the Modi government assumed charge in its second term. His visit is aimed at laying the groundwork for Modi's visit.

During the day, Lemoyne met External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar who said they had a productive exchange of views on global issues.

"Productive exchange of views on global issues. Appreciated special invitation to PM to join the G7 Summit in August," Jaishankar tweeted.

External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar later said that Prime Minister Modi has received an invitation from the President of France to attend the Outreach Session at the G-7 Summit in Biarritz as a Special Invitee.

"The invitation is a reflection of the personal chemistry between the two leaders, a demonstration of our deepening strategic partnership and recognition of India as a major economic power. The PM has accepted the invitation to attend the event which will also include a bilateral component. Further details will be shared in due course," he said.

--IANS

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