PM Modi embarks on three-nation tour to France, UAE and Bahrain

New Delhi:Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday embarked on a three-nation tour to France, UAE and Bahrain seeking to boost ties across regions.

"Deepening our multifaceted partnerships across regions. PM Narendra Modi departs for bilateral visits to France, UAE and Bahrain from August 22 to 26. On a special invitation from President Emmanuel Macron of France, PM will also participate in the 2019 G-7 Summit as Biarritz Partner," MEA spokesman Raveesh Kumar tweeted.

In a series of tweets, Prime Minister said - "In France, look forward to holding talks with President Emmanuel Macron and PM Edouard Philippe There would be interactions with the Indian diaspora and a memorial for Indian victims of two Air India crashes in France in the 1950s and 1960s would be dedicated".

Mr Modi further wrote, "In Bahrain there would be interactions with the Indian diaspora. It would be an honour for me to be present at the special ceremony marking the re-development of the temple of Lord Shreenathji, among the oldest temples in the Gulf region".

"My visit to the Kingdom of Bahrain would be the first ever Prime Ministerial visit to the Kingdom. I look forward to meeting Prime Minister His Royal Highness Prince Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa and His Majesty the King of Bahrain Shaikh Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa," he tweeted.

"These visits will strengthen India's relations with time-tested friends and help explore new areas of cooperation," he said.France has said the country is all set to host a bilateral summit between President Macron and Mr Modi later on Thursday.

"Ch?teau de Chantilly is all set to host a bilateral summit b/w Prez Emmanuel Macron and PM Narendra Modi. Set in Hauts-de-France region (Oise) 60 kms from Paris, it's one of the finest jewels in the crown of France's cultural heritage," tweeted French envoy to India Alexandre Ziegler.

In UAE, Prime Minister Modi would receive the Order of Zayed, the highest civil decoration of the UAE which was announced earlier in April this year in recognition of the distinguished leadership of Prime Minister Modi for giving a big boost to bilateral relations between the two countries. 

The award in the name of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the UAE, acquires special significance as it was awarded to Prime Minister Modi in the year of the birth centenary of Sheikh Zayed, an MEA statement has said.

Prime Minister Modi will be visiting Biarritz in France at the invitation of President Macron for the G-7 Summit. During the Summit, the Prime Minister is expected to speak in Sessions on Environment, Climate, Oceans and Digital Transformation. (UNI)