PARIS (AFP): Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, guest of honor at France’s Bastille Day celebration, will dine with President Emmanuel Macron at the Louvre museum on Friday, Macron’s office said.
More than 200 guests will join the two leaders on France’s national holiday for the dinner in Modi’s honor at the world’s biggest museum, and are to be treated to a special viewing of a number of iconic works, the presidency said.
Modi, who arrives on Thursday for what will be his fifth trip to France, is to meet with Macron for a private dinner before visiting Indian artists who participated in this year’s Namaste France festival, an event highlighting cultural links between both countries.
On Friday he will attend the traditional Bastille Day military parade, which will this year feature a sizable Indian contingent, have more talks with Macron, and attend a business leader forum, the presidency said.
France and India, whose strategic partnership goes back 25 years, are negotiating business deals in several areas, including defense and energy, but French government sources said they may not be finalized in time for Modi’s visit.
