Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Paris on Thursday night on the first leg of his three-nation tour. Track live updates here.

Auto refresh feeds

Hollande says, "Our partnership is not confined to economy, but we want growth."

He says," Make in India is not just a programme, it is a mission."

"In order to ensure stability and peace we have numerous joint projects in the field of missiles and aircrafts. All of you are aware of the Rafale deal," says Hollande.

French President Francois Hollande after holding talks with PM Modi says that the two countries would conduct new projects over and above the existing ones.

Hollande says being two big democraciesm, the two countries need to be exemplary in the fields of politics and culture.

Speaking of tourism and culture, "We would like to have exemplary co-operation in the field of cinema."

Highlighting the importance of the relationship between the two countries, Francois Hollande says, "We would like to invite more Indian students into our country."

We would like co-operation in field of cinema, says Francois Hollande

Speaking of the relations between the two countries, "Today there is no area where India and France don't have tie-ups. From air to sea, now we have decided to work on cyber technology as well."

"France has stood by India during good times and bad, and supported and endored India in the world," he says.

"France is one of the closest and trusted partners of India," says PM Modi.

France is one of the closest and trusted partners of India, says PM Modi

PM Modi highligting the importance of tie-ups in space technology between the two countries, PM Modi says, "France and India will work together for planetary explorations."

The PM also announced a joint postal stamp between the two countries.

"Areva and L&T has also decided to make forgings in India," PM Modi says.

He also says, "In Jaitapur we have decided to build six nuclear plants."

Speaking of the much awaited Rafalde deal, PM Modi says, "India has bought 36 aircraft from France in flying condition."

He also thanks France for backing India's membership bid for the UN Security Council.

Now PM Modi talks about terrorism across the world. He says, " Be it Paris or Mumbai, India and France have understood each others pain."

Be it Paris or Mumbai, India, France have understood each others pain, says PM Modi

Have requested 36 Rafale jets in fly-away condition as quickly as possible - PM @narendramodi pic.twitter.com/yghaJ9vDJQ

PM Modi has begun day 2 of his Europe tour with a visit to Toulouse to visit the Airbus headquarters in the city. He'll be headed to pay respects to Indian soldiers who died during World War 1 later today

Paris: Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in Paris on Thursday night on the first leg of his three-nation tour during which he will hold talks with French President Francois Hollande and meet business leaders.

During his four-day stay, Modi will hold talks with Hollande and meet business leaders. The focus of the talks will be civil nuclear, defence and trade.

A highlight of his stay in France will be a boat ride with Hollande, which is being described as 'naav pe charcha' (chat on boat). Earlier, Modi has had 'chai pe charcha' with foreign leaders, including President Barack Obama during his visit to New Delhi in January.

In France, the Prime Minister will also visit the World War-I memorial and pay tributes to about 10,000 Indians who lost their lives while fighting alongside France.

He will also visit UNESCO headquarters, Airbus facility and French space agency office.

India is hoping that French companies will participate in the 'Make in India' programme initiated by Modi.

After wrapping up the first leg of his tour, Modi will head to Germany, where business and technology will be the focus his engagements aimed at attracting participation in the 'Make in India' campaign.

In the third and last leg of his tour, Modi will travel to Canada, marking the first standalone visit by an Indian Prime Minister in over 42 years.

Ahead of talks with French President Francois Hollande, India on Friday said it expects "movement" on a proposal for setting up French nuclear reactors in Jaitapur in Maharashtra as well as Rafale fighter deal, both of which are pending for long.

These issues, along with trade, will be high on the agenda of substantive discussions between the two leaders amid India's keen interest to get participation of French companies in the 'Make in India' programme. Terrorism, against the backdrop of an attack here three months back, will also be discussed.

"India and France are strategic partners. In this context, the issues of civil nuclear and defence cooperation will be discussed. The issues you referred to will also be discussed. We expect movement on these issues," External Affairs Ministry spokesman Syed Akbaruddin said here when asked whether the two leaders will talk about Jaitapur nuclear project and multi-billion dollar Rafale deal. There will be substantive discussions on defence and nuclear issues. Wait for the outcome," he added.

The spokesman said India expects French companies to participate in 'Make in India' programme in the field of defence as well as civil nuclear energy, "where India can make some nuclear installations with France."

The Jaitapur project, where French company Areva is to set up six nuclear reactors with total power generation capacity of about 10,000 MW, is stuck for long because of differences over the cost of electricity to be generated.

Similarly, the deal to supply 126 Rafale fighter planes is also deadlocked because of differences over price.

Modi, who arrived here today on a four-day visit, will also address two meetings with French CEOs – one on infrastructure and another on defence.

He will also have 'Naav pe Charcha' (chat on boat) with Hollande when they go for a cruise on Seine river which passes through Paris.

PTI