Modi meets French President

Paris June 3 (IANS) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday met newly elected French President Emmanuel Macron for one-on-one talks ahead of delegation-level bilateral discussions here.

Macron who assumed office on May 14 welcomed Modi with a warm hug at the Elysee Palace.

A meeting to mark a new warmth and friendship. PM @narendramodi meets new French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.

With US President Donald Trump announcing his country s withdrawal from the Paris Agreement on climate change the climate issue is likely to be a major area of focus in Saturday s talks.

While Macron has strongly criticised Trump s move Modi said on Friday that India would continue to work for environment protection Paris or no Paris.

France is also a major partner of India in defence cooperation and the ninth largest investment partner.

Modi arrived here on Friday evening on the final leg of his six-day four-nation tour of Europe. Prior to France he visited Germany Spain and Russia.

--IANS
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