France should be the best partner for India in Europe : Emmanuel Macron

"I think we (India and France) have very good chemistry. Our two great democracies have a historic relationship," President Macron said after he was  given a ceremonial reception at the Rashtrapat  Bhavan.

"... France should be the best partner for India, especially in Europe, the entry point for Europe. And I aim to have more and more Indian citizens coming to France studying, becoming a partner, creating start-ups and I want my country to be your best partner in Europe," he told media outside the Rashtrpati Bhavan.

Accompanied by his wife Brigette Marie-Claude Macron and an entourage of businessmen and officials, the French President arrived here on Friday night.

Macron said his first objective  is to open a new era in the India-France Strategic Partnership “in terms of defence and security, in terms of research and science, especially in terms of our youth, higher education and science”.

“It is absolutely critical because our two democracies have common challenges regarding terrorism, a lot of common risks, a lot of threats,” he said.

The 40-year-old French President later visited the Raj Ghat.

Macron also met Foreign Minister Sushma Swaraj in the morning.  "They exchanged views on enhancing strategic partnership in trade and investment, defence and security, culture, education and people-to-people ties," tweeted Foreign Ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar.

Macron is now holding  bilateral  talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi that will be followed by delegation-level talks and signing of various deals.

During his visit, the two countries are likely to ink agreements on  civil nuclear cooperation, solar energy and transfer of electric mobility for Indian Railways and metro lines linked to smart city projects, among other things.

Prime Minister  Modi on Friday welcomed the visiting   French President  by visiting the airport here.

Modi showed a special gesture by visiting the airport to welcome the French President and later tweeted: " Welcome to India, President @EmmanuelMacron! Your visit will add great strength to the strategic partnership between India and France. I look forward to our talks tomorrow."

" Looking forward to co-chairing the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance with President @EmmanuelMacron on 11th March. The ISA is a unique effort that brings the world together to harness solar energy and create a cleaner as well as greener future," read another tweet.

Macron will be a on a state visit from Mar 9 to 12.

The Indian Prime Minister and the French President shall also co-chair the Founding Conference of the International Solar Alliance, which will take place on Mar 11.

The Indian community, including NRIs in mainland France number around 1.1 lakh people; largely originating from French enclaves of Puducherry, Karaikal, Yanam, Mahe and Chandernagore.