Mumbai

Demonstrating their cordial equation, Narendra Modi on Tuesday travelled alongside Emmanuel Macron as the two leaders made their way to the India-France Innovation Forum in Mumbai after concluding bilateral and delegation-level discussions.

In a post on X, Modi said that following their talks and joint press interaction at Lok Bhavan, he and President Macron were proceeding to subsequent engagements, including the Innovation Forum. The gesture of sharing a car ride reflected the comfortable working relationship between the two leaders as they aim to expand collaboration in areas such as innovation, commerce and technology.

This is not the first instance of Modi opting for such informal diplomatic gestures. Earlier this month, he travelled with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim in Kuala Lumpur during his two-day visit to Malaysia. Posting about that moment, Modi had highlighted the strong people-to-people ties between India and Malaysia as they headed to a community programme.

In December, Modi personally received Russian President Vladimir Putin at the airport and accompanied him by car to his residence at 7 Lok Kalyan Marg. Similar gestures were seen during the visit of German Chancellor Friedrich Merz last month after official engagements in Gujarat, as well as when UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan arrived in New Delhi in January and travelled with Modi from the airport.

India and France have recently elevated their ties to a ‘Special Global Strategic Partnership’. During a joint press conference, Modi underlined the depth of the longstanding strategic relationship, noting that under Macron’s leadership the partnership has gained renewed momentum. He described the upgraded framework as one that would contribute not only to bilateral progress but also to global stability amid uncertain international conditions.

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President Macron, accompanied by First Lady Brigitte Macron, is on a visit to India until February 19, covering engagements in both Mumbai and New Delhi. This marks Macron’s fourth visit to India at Modi’s invitation.