Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at deepening India-France ties, ranging from digital financial integration to enhanced educational and professional mobility. He announced that the scope of Unified Payments Interface (UPI) services in France will be expanded further.
Addressing the Indian diaspora in Paris, PM Modi said the expansion of UPI in France would facilitate instant connectivity and seamless payments between the two countries.
“Now, the scope of UPI usage in France is also going to expand further. This means instant India-France connect and instant mutual payments. Through all these initiatives, we are bringing India and France closer,” he said.
Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron had discussed the expansion of UPI services in France during their meeting on Sunday. Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri had earlier said that UPI is already available at several locations in France, including the Eiffel Tower. The payment platform was launched in Paris on July 3, 2024.
Highlighting recent progress in bilateral cooperation, PM Modi said the opening of the Indian Consulate in Marseille last year has brought significant convenience to the Indian diaspora. He also noted that Indian nationals can now avail visa-free airport transit in France.
“Before I leave, I have some more good news for all of you. Last year, a consulate was opened in Marseille. This is providing significant convenience. A few weeks ago, visa-free transit for Indian nationals began at French airports,” he said.
The Prime Minister also underlined efforts to boost educational and professional exchanges between the two countries, including increasing the mobility of students and professionals, pursuing mutual recognition of educational qualifications, and facilitating the opening of French university campuses in India.
“Whether it’s increasing the mobility of students and professionals, mutual recognition of educational qualifications, or the opening of French university campuses in India, we are moving forward together on all of these,” he said.
Earlier, PM Modi praised the Indian community in France for embodying India’s core values abroad. Calling Paris “a city of lights, colours, ideas and innovation,” he said the Indian diaspora had added to the city’s vibrancy through India’s cultural diversity.
He noted that people from every corner of India, including Tamils, Punjabis, Gujaratis, Marathis and Bengalis, are represented in Paris, reflecting the country’s unity in diversity.
Turning to India’s transformation, the Prime Minister said the country’s progress is being driven by the aspirations of its people.
“When historians look back 50 or 100 years from now and assess this period in India’s journey, one fact will stand out: this era was driven by the aspirations of the people of India. This is a new age of Indian aspirations,” he said.
Highlighting India’s growing confidence and capabilities, PM Modi added, “What was once a dream is now a reality. What once seemed impossible has now become possible.”
PM Modi concluded his multi-city visit to France on Thursday. During the trip, he participated in the G7 Summit in Evian, addressed global technology leaders at VivaTech 2026, interacted with the Indian diaspora, and held bilateral meetings with French leaders and business executives. (ANI)
