Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday attended a round table meeting with CEOs, with the topic for discussion being infrastructure.
This meeting will be followed by a similar round table on defence.
Foreign Secretary S Jaishankar had earlier imformed the media that infrastructure and defence will be be two key components of the Prime Minister’s visit to France.
“Infrastructure is a high priority for the government and we believe that a lot of French companies have expertise in the sector. In defence, our relationship with France has had defence, space and nuclear as three important components. French companies are very experienced and we hope that they participate in the Make in India initiative in the defence sector,” he said.
Earlier on Friday, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome at the Elysee Palace in Paris.
The national anthems of both countries were played before the French army accorded him the guard of honour.
Chief of Defence Staff General Pierre de Villiers and French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius were also present at the occasion.
Prime Minister Modi will reach the German city of Hannover on Sunday on the second leg of his visit. He will reach Canadian capital Ottawa on Tuesday on the final leg of his visit.Â