Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday said that it is unfortunate that India, which is known as the land of love and sacrifice, is today struggling for a single seat in the United Nations Security council.

"India is known as the land of sacrifice and devotion. This country which sacrifices so much for peace is struggling to find a single seat in the United Nations Security Council. This is the opportunity to give the land of peace its right," the Prime Minister said, at a community reception in Paris.

"I had gone to pay homage to the martyrs. I would have regretted it if I hadn't gone there. I had goose bumps when I went there, I was overwhelmed. The war had went on for four years; Indians were fighting, but not for themselves," he said.

Last public event in France - also the largest in number - PM @narendramodi addresses Indian community in Paris. pic.twitter.com/GPUAeVCIPI — Syed Akbaruddin (@MEAIndia) April 11, 2015

"India is a country which sacrifices not only for itself but for others as well. Today, if there is one army that contributes the most in peacekeeping initiatives it is the Indian army. Indians are praised for their contribution towards peacekeeping. I doubt if there is any other country in the world that can spread the message of peace, the way we can," he added.

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He further said that he had especially gone to pay homage to the martyrs today so that the world knows how much India has contributed towards peacekeeping.

"I had especially gone to pay homage to the martyrs today, so that the world knows how much India has contributed towards peacekeeping," he added.

Earlier, the Prime Minister paid homage to martyred Indian soldiers at a memorial in Neuve Chapelle.

Prior to the homage, Prime Minister Modi visited a Prefecture in Toulouse, France. He also attended a presentation of Airbus' suppliers and interacted with representatives of some of the key local Airbus partners in the city.

The Prime Minister, who is currently on the first leg on his three-nation nine-day tour, arrived at the UNESCO headquarters at Place de Fontenoy, Paris yesterday.

Prime Minister Modi will reach the German city of Hannover on Sunday on the second leg of his visit. He will reach Canadian capital Ottawa on Tuesday on the final leg of his visit.