Modi to visit France, attend G7 summit at Biarritz

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be visiting France on an official visit on August 22-23 and then to attend the G-7 Summit at its seaside resort of Biarritz on August 25-26, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Monday.

The MEA said that Modi will be attending the summit as the "Biarritz Partner" on the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, and is expected to speak on the environment, climate, oceans and digital transformations.

The Prime Minister will also be having bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries on the sidelines of the summit.

According to the MEA officials, prior to the G7 Summit, Modi will hold meetings with President Macron and Prime Minister Edouard Philippe.

During his visit to France, he would address the Indian community in Paris and also inaugurate the memorial for the Indian victims of the Air India crashes at Nid D'Aigle.

After his engagements in Paris on August 22-23, Modi will make a state visit to the UAE on August 23-24 and then to Bahrain during August 24-25.

India and France have been strategic partners since 1998 and share a comprehensive, dynamic and multi-faceted relationship. The two countries have strong cooperation in the fields of defence, maritime security, space, cyber, counter-terrorism, and civil nuclear energy along with robust trade and investment relations.

The bilateral visit to France and the invitation to G7 Summit are in keeping with the tradition of strong and close partnership and high-level political contacts between India and France, the MEA said.