France Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna arrives in India, meets PM Modi and MEA Jaishankar

New Delhi, Sept 15: The Foreign Minister of France Catherine Colonna, who is on an official visit to India, called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday (Sept 14) and conveyed President Emmanuel Macron's message of friendship and cooperation to the Prime Minister. The French Foreign Minister also met Indian Minister of External Affairs Dr S Jaishankar on the first day of her visit.

 

 

 

 

According to an official statement issued by Prime Minister's Office, several discussions including bilateral and other issues of mutual interest were also held between both of them. The statement read, "Ms. Catherine Colonna, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, who is on an official visit to India from Sept 13 - 15, called on Prime Minister Modi today (Sept 14). Besides discussion on bilateral and other issues of mutual interest, the Minister conveyed President Macron's message of friendship and cooperation to the Prime Minister."

 

 

 

 

 

PM Modi fondly recalled his recent meetings with President Macron in Paris and Schloss Elmau, Germany, and conveyed his desire to welcome him in India at an early opportunity, as per the statement. Earlier in the day, the French Foreign Minister said India and France have strong strategic partnership for the last 25 years and want to bring peace and stability to the world.

 

During the Press conference French Foreign Minister Colonna said, "It is my first visit as a minister to India but not my first visit to India. But I wanted to choose India as my first visit as a minister in the Asian zone. So, that's a deliberate choice. The reason is that France and India have had a strong partnership with its strategic partnership for the past 25 years almost. We've achieved a lot. We want to bring some peace and stability to this world." Today (Sept 15), Colonna is scheduled to travel to Mumbai for engagements with industry leaders and site visits.