Three-Nation Visit To Focus On Economic Agenda, Job Creation: Modi

Terming France "one of our most important strategic partners", he said it has stood with India at difficult moments, noting its "understanding and support" after the Pokhran nuclear tests in 1998 and was also then prime minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's first destination for a bilateral visit thereafter.

He noted the strong cooperation in the defence sector, which "currently includes construction of six advanced submarines in India" as well as in space and in civil nuclear energy co-operation.

There are "huge opportunities for collaboration in the manufacturing and infrastructure with France, including in the railways sector", he said.

"I also look forward to discussing ways in which we can deepen our security cooperation include counter-terrorism as well as space, cyber and maritime security".

He said he would visit some of the highly-developed high technology industries outside Paris and as also pay respect at the World War I memorial at Neuve Chapelle, "especially to honour, in the centenary year of the tragic war, the supreme sacrifice of thousands of Indian soldiers, who fought valiantly during World War I".

In Germany, where he will be From April 12-14, Modi said the main focus would be to participate in the Hannover Industrial Trade Fair, which will be inaugurated jointly by him and German Chancellor Angela Merkel April 12.
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