French Senate Chairman Gerard Larcher arrives in India, meets Vice President Dhakhar

Larcher and his delegation will meet Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar during their visit on Feb 19 and 20, the Embassy said.

The discussion on ways to increase cooperation and mutual understanding between the French Senate and India's Parliament, including through a dedicated agreement, will be held, it said.

"Discussions between the leaders centred around strengthening Parliamentary exchanges between India and France, built upon close economic and cultural cooperation, and warm people-to-people ties," Dhankhar wrote on X.

This will mark the first official visit to India of a Chairman of the French Senate, the Upper House of France's Parliament, the Embassy said in a statement.

Larcher will also be given a guided tour of the new Parliament building, the statement said.

The Chairman of the French Senate will call on Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Larcher had previously met Prime Minister Modi during the latter's visit to Paris on July 14, 2023, when the Prime Minister was received at the French Senate by Larcher and leaders of all major parliamentary groups.

The chairman of the French Senate will also meet External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar to discuss the current dynamic in bilateral relations and gain a better understanding of India's growing geopolitical role.

During the visit, Larcher will also meet with business leaders of French companies present in India, particularly in the aerospace and defence sectors, and visit sites of French companies making key contributions to 'Make in India' and 'Skill India'," the statement said.