PM Visits Cemetery In Marseille’s France, Inaugurates Indian Consulate

On the third and closing day of his France go to on Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi visited the historic Mazargues Cemetery in Marseille with French President Emmanuel Macron and paid tribute to Indian troopers who fought in World Conflict I and World Conflict II, lots of whom are cremated there. 

Noting that freedom fighter Veer Savarkar tried a “brave escape” in Marseille, PM Modi wrote on X,  “In India’s quest for freedom, this metropolis holds particular significance. It was right here that the nice Veer Savarkar tried a brave escape. I additionally need to thank the individuals of Marseille and the French activists of that point who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody. The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to encourage generations!”.

Savarkar had tried his escape on July 8, 1910, from HMS Morea, by slipping by a porthole and swimming ashore. He was captured by French authorities and handed again to officers on the ship. 

PM Modi additionally inaugurated the Indian Consulate in Marseille and stated that it’s going to deepen ties between the 2 international locations. “President Macron and I reached Marseille a short time in the past. This go to will witness vital programmes aimed toward additional connecting India and France. The Indian consulate which is being inaugurated will deepen people-to-people linkages. I may also pay homage to the Indian troopers martyred within the First and Second World Wars,” the PM wrote earlier within the day.

Prime Minister Modi obtained a heat welcome from the Indian diaspora at a resort in Marseille. “Now we have been staying right here for the previous 4 years…I met PM Modi now…he was very pleased to fulfill us and we additionally felt actually pleased,” Priyanka Sharma, a member of the diaspora, instructed information company ANI.

Other than visiting a logistics centre, PM Modi and Mr Macron may also take a tour of the Worldwide Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) venture in Cadarache in southern France. India has dedicated Rs 17,500 crore, which is about 10% of the venture’s value. It has additionally contributed the largest element within the venture – the world’s largest fridge that homes this distinctive reactor.

‘Touched New Heights’

International Secretary Vikram Misri stated PM Modi and Mr Macron travelled collectively to Marseille within the French presidential plane. Mr Misri termed this an “distinctive gesture” which is “emblematic not solely of the deep private belief” between the 2 leaders however the “exceptional confidence” they’ve in one another.

“The Prime Minister and the President held discussions on board the plane. You could possibly say that India-France relations touched new heights, actually. And these discussions onboard the plane on a lot of points continued on touchdown in Marseille, the place the 2 leaders have been joined by their bigger delegations… These discussions coated the complete gamut of our deep and various strategic partnership,” he stated.

The 2 leaders, Mr Misri stated, reviewed progress within the areas of defence, house, civil nuclear cooperation, well being and people-to-people cooperation.

The overseas secretary stated the 2 international locations have adopted a separate declaration on synthetic intelligence, protecting in thoughts their key priorities, and PM Modi and Mr Macron have additionally launched the emblem of the India-France Yr of Innovation in 2026.