NEW DELHI: A ceremonial welcome by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and the special gesture by President Emmanuel Macron of hosting a state banquet for Prime Minister Narendra Modi with a thoughtful vegetarian spread at the iconic Louvre museum on Bastille Day sums up how distinguished the PM’s two-day France trip has been.
Deviating from the protocol of French colours, even the thread for the menu at the home of the ‘Mona Lisa’ was in the colours of the Indian flag. The last foreign dignitary to be hosted for a banquet in the world’s biggest museum on the right bank of the Seine river was Queen Elizabeth in 1957.
Generally, the Louvre is a big attraction on Fridays, but this July 14 was not just any other Friday and it was kept exclusively for the state banquet.
Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron received Modi as more than 200 special invitees joined the leaders on France’s National Day for the dinner in honour of the Indian Prime Minister.
Preceding the state banquet, Modi was the ‘guest of honour’ at the French National Day. Here too, thanks to Macron’s special gesture, an Indian tri-Services contingent, including IAF aircraft, participated in the parade. US President Donald Trump was the last dignitary invited to the parade in 2017.
Modi, in his fifth visit to France, interacted with the entire political leadership of France at the state banquet, including the president, PM and the presidents of the Senate (upper House) and National Assembly (lower House). The menu was a specially curated vegetarian spread.
Grammy-winner Ricky Kej, who attended the dinner, later shared some moments from the event on social media, tweeting, “Wow! Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, you constantly make all us Indians proud. Attended the official dinner in honour of Modiji at the Musee Louvre hosted by the suave and gracious President of France Emmanuel Macron. The last leader hosted at the Louvre was Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. A huge honour to be seated with the two world leaders and dine with them. The world is indeed in great hands. Bright future ahead.” He also attached two selfies — one with Modi and Macron, and another with Modi.
Among the invitees was Assamese aerospace engineer Priyanka Rajkakati, who shared a picture from the dinner and said it was “truly an honour” to be seated at the table. She was seen in a traditional Assamese ‘mekhela chador’.
Deviating from the protocol of French colours, even the thread for the menu at the home of the ‘Mona Lisa’ was in the colours of the Indian flag. The last foreign dignitary to be hosted for a banquet in the world’s biggest museum on the right bank of the Seine river was Queen Elizabeth in 1957.
Generally, the Louvre is a big attraction on Fridays, but this July 14 was not just any other Friday and it was kept exclusively for the state banquet.
Macron and First Lady Brigitte Macron received Modi as more than 200 special invitees joined the leaders on France’s National Day for the dinner in honour of the Indian Prime Minister.
Preceding the state banquet, Modi was the ‘guest of honour’ at the French National Day. Here too, thanks to Macron’s special gesture, an Indian tri-Services contingent, including IAF aircraft, participated in the parade. US President Donald Trump was the last dignitary invited to the parade in 2017.
Modi, in his fifth visit to France, interacted with the entire political leadership of France at the state banquet, including the president, PM and the presidents of the Senate (upper House) and National Assembly (lower House). The menu was a specially curated vegetarian spread.
Grammy-winner Ricky Kej, who attended the dinner, later shared some moments from the event on social media, tweeting, “Wow! Our Prime Minister Narendra Modi ji, you constantly make all us Indians proud. Attended the official dinner in honour of Modiji at the Musee Louvre hosted by the suave and gracious President of France Emmanuel Macron. The last leader hosted at the Louvre was Queen Elizabeth II in 1957. A huge honour to be seated with the two world leaders and dine with them. The world is indeed in great hands. Bright future ahead.” He also attached two selfies — one with Modi and Macron, and another with Modi.
Among the invitees was Assamese aerospace engineer Priyanka Rajkakati, who shared a picture from the dinner and said it was “truly an honour” to be seated at the table. She was seen in a traditional Assamese ‘mekhela chador’.