Will Defend Right and Liberty of Every Citizen, Says Prime Minister Narendra Modi in France

Mangalore Today News Network

Paris, April 10, 2015:  In a packed hall at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said, "We will ensure every citizen of every religion  has an equal place... we will defend right and liberty of every citizen."

He also said, "Culture must connect, not divide, our world."

The PM was addressing about 1300 diplomats and others, many of whom cheered "Modi-Modi" as he walked,  welcomed with a musical performance.

"Our world is and will remain a better place because of the United Nations... no organisation serves our world more," the PM said, lauding the initiatives of UNESCO or the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization "to preserve the world’s cultural heritage, including in India."

The Prime Minister began his visit to France today with a ceremonial welcome at the the large courtyard of the seventh century Les Invalides, which houses a military museum. French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was present and after the welcome he accompanied PM Modi to back-to-back meetings with French business leaders.

PM Modi will have lunch at the French National Assembly and interact with some political leaders.
 
Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets French President Francois Hollande later in the day for bilateral talks. The two leaders are expected to sign 10 agreements. PM Modi is seeking to accelerate a drive to turn India into a manufacturing and investment hub, and attention will be on whether Paris and New Delhi seal a deal for India to buy Rafale fighter jets from France and on civil nuclear partnership.

A boat ride on the Seine river, being called the "naav pe charcha," will be a highlight of his visit to France on the first leg of his three-nation tour.

He will also attend a banquet hosted by Mr Hollande.

From Paris, the PM will travel all the way to Toulouse in the south of France, where he will visit the Airbus factory. In the north of France, he will visit a memorial for Indian soldiers who died in the First World War; he will be the first Indian prime minister to make this visit.

PM Modi arrived in France late on Thursday night and was received by Thierry Braillard, minister of state for sports, according to a tweet by the Indian embassy in Paris. PM Modi also interacted with a large number of the Indian community who were present at the airport to greet him.

 

Courtesy: NDTV