Bonjour Modi? French president invites Modi to France

French President Francois Hollande has invited Prime Minister Narendra Modi to visit France, French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said on Monday.

The invitation will be personally delivered by Fabius, who will be calling on the PM on Tuesday morning. “I will convey to Prime Minister Modi an invitation on behalf of President Hollande for an official visit as early as possible. Possibly in September, when the PM goes to New York for the UN General Assembly or on his way back,” the French minister told reporters.

Fabius, who is in India for four days, held “fruitful” consultations with his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj earlier in the day on key bilateral, regional and international issues, including civil nuclear cooperation, defence and economic ties, apart from the situation in Iraq.

Noting that India-France ties can be summarised in two words “trust and partnership”, the visiting leader said he had conveyed the assurance of his people for strengthening the friendship to his counterpart during the meeting.