Doval, Macron adviser hold talks ahead of PM's France visit

NEW DELHI: National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on Thursday held wide-ranging talks with French President's diplomatic advisor Emmanuel Bonne with a focus on Prime Minister Narendra Modi visit to Paris next week. Modi will attend this year's Bastille Day parade as the guest of honour in Paris on July 14. Bonne also called on PM Narendra Modi and briefed him on the progress in various areas of bilateral cooperation.

The prime minister is set to hold extensive talks with French President Emmanuel Macron during the visit.

People familiar with talks between Doval and Bonne said the main agenda of the discussions was preparations for Modi's visit and overall strategic cooperation. Modi's trip to Paris will be special as it will be the first Bastille Day visit by a foreign leader in Macron's current term, they said.

A 269 member tri-services contingent of the Indian armed forces on Thursday left for Paris to participate in the parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of IAF will also take part in the flypast over the Champs Elysees on the occasion.

France has been a key partner for India in a range of sectors including defence, space and nuclear technology.


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