* Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday embarked on a two-day state visit to France during which he will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron . In his departure statement, the PM said his visit to France reflects the strong strategic partnership which the two countries deeply value and share. After arriving in France, PM will hold talks with Macron, who will also host a working dinner for Modi.

* Discussions are expected to broadly focus on reaffirming France and India as the key strategic and like-minded partners, strengthening of defence partnership, including future defence acquisitions, progress on setting up of the Jaitapur nuclear power plant, convergent, strategic and political priorities in the Indo-Pacific and related operational needs.

* On Friday, Modi will meet French Prime Minister Edouard Charles Philippe, address an event of Indian community at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris , and also inaugurate a memorial in Nid D'Aigle for Indian victims of two tragic air crashes of Air India flights in 1950 and 1966.

* From France, Modi will on Friday arrive in the UAE where he would receive the 'Order of Zayed' , the highest civil decoration of the country.

* Modi would also meet the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to discuss bilateral, regional and international matters of mutual interest.

* From the UAE, Modi will leave for Bahrain on August 24 on a two-day visit, which will be the first ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to the Gulf nation.

* In Bahrain, Modi will hold talks with his counterpart Prince Shaikh Khalifa bin Salman Al Khalifa on entire spectrum of bilateral relations as well as on regional and international issues of mutual interest.

* MoUs on RuPay cards will be signed by India with both the UAE and Bahrain so that they can be used in these two countries. During his visit to Bahrain, the Prime Minister will also launch the renovation of Shreenathji (Shree Krishna) temple in Manama.

* On August 25, he will head for the French city of Biarritz to attend the G7 Summit . The next day, Prime Minister Modi will participate in sessions on environment, climate, oceans and digital transformation.

* The Prime Minister will also be having bilateral meetings with leaders of other countries on the sidelines of the summit.

(With agency inputs)

