NEW DELHI: While Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Paris on Thursday revealed his more than 41 years’ old “personal attachment” with France, the Congress has talked about then PM Indira Gandhi’s long association with the European country.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Paris during his ongoing visit to France, PM Modi spoke about the setting up of Alliance Française in Ahmedabad more than 40 years ago.
He said, “My attachment with France is quite old, and I can never forget it. Around 40 years ago, a cultural centre of France was started in Ahmedabad and the first member of that very centre is today talking to you.”
Modi added, “Recently, they managed to trace my I-card from the old records and sent it to me. That gift for me is very valuable.”
The PM’s receipt-cum-membership card of Alliance Francaise d’ Ahmedabad, which went viral on social media, is dated December 5, 1981. It shows that Modi had paid Rs 125 as membership fee.
Earlier in the day, the Congress had talked about former PM Indira Gandhi’s long association with France.
In a tweet, Congress MP and general secretary in-charge of the party’s communications, said, “It was the 25th of March 1966, just two months after she had taken over as PM. She met President De Gaulle in Paris who later confided to his confidant Andre Malraux that ‘women do not succeed in politics, but this one will’ – a commonly-held belief those days.”
Ramesh further said, That she conducted the conversation fully in French must have left a lasting impression on the President. From this visit began France’s long association with our strategic programmes, especially in space and defence.”
Meanwhile, addressing the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the significance of his visit and said, “I’ve visited France many times. However, this time, it is a special occasion to come to France. Tomorrow, it is the national day of France. I congratulate the people of France on this day, and I thank people for inviting me on this occasion.”
He said, “India is the mother of democracy and model of diversity, it is our big strength… The world has come to believe that it will not take long for India to become a $5 trillion economy.”
The PM said, “Today the French PM received me at the airport and tomorrow I will attend the National Day parade with my friend (French President) Emmanuel Macron. This is a reflection of the unbreakable friendship between India and France.”
Modi noted that people-to-people connect is the strongest foundation of the India-France partnership. The partnership between India and France is being strengthened by the people of India and France.
He said, “The trust people of both countries share is resemblance of this… here in France ‘Namaste India’ is celebrated and in India, we celebrate ‘Bonjour India’.”
(With inputs from agencies)
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Paris during his ongoing visit to France, PM Modi spoke about the setting up of Alliance Française in Ahmedabad more than 40 years ago.
He said, “My attachment with France is quite old, and I can never forget it. Around 40 years ago, a cultural centre of France was started in Ahmedabad and the first member of that very centre is today talking to you.”
Modi added, “Recently, they managed to trace my I-card from the old records and sent it to me. That gift for me is very valuable.”
The PM’s receipt-cum-membership card of Alliance Francaise d’ Ahmedabad, which went viral on social media, is dated December 5, 1981. It shows that Modi had paid Rs 125 as membership fee.
Earlier in the day, the Congress had talked about former PM Indira Gandhi’s long association with France.
In a tweet, Congress MP and general secretary in-charge of the party’s communications, said, “It was the 25th of March 1966, just two months after she had taken over as PM. She met President De Gaulle in Paris who later confided to his confidant Andre Malraux that ‘women do not succeed in politics, but this one will’ – a commonly-held belief those days.”
Ramesh further said, That she conducted the conversation fully in French must have left a lasting impression on the President. From this visit began France’s long association with our strategic programmes, especially in space and defence.”
Meanwhile, addressing the Indian diaspora, Prime Minister Modi highlighted the significance of his visit and said, “I’ve visited France many times. However, this time, it is a special occasion to come to France. Tomorrow, it is the national day of France. I congratulate the people of France on this day, and I thank people for inviting me on this occasion.”
He said, “India is the mother of democracy and model of diversity, it is our big strength… The world has come to believe that it will not take long for India to become a $5 trillion economy.”
The PM said, “Today the French PM received me at the airport and tomorrow I will attend the National Day parade with my friend (French President) Emmanuel Macron. This is a reflection of the unbreakable friendship between India and France.”
Modi noted that people-to-people connect is the strongest foundation of the India-France partnership. The partnership between India and France is being strengthened by the people of India and France.
He said, “The trust people of both countries share is resemblance of this… here in France ‘Namaste India’ is celebrated and in India, we celebrate ‘Bonjour India’.”
(With inputs from agencies)