Chandigarh set to cement French connection today

CHANDIGARH: French President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in the city on Sunday amid heightened security, especially in the wake of a threat letter received by the French consulate in Bengaluru recently, leaving the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana into a virtual fortress.

Nitin Jain

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 23

French President Francois Hollande and Prime Minister Narendra Modi will be in the city on Sunday amid heightened security, especially in the wake of a threat letter received by the French consulate in Bengaluru recently, leaving the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana into a virtual fortress.

Hollande will kick off his three-day state visit by arriving in the city at 1 pm in a special French Air Force aircraft. Modi will arrive at 2.30 pm in a special Indian Air Force flight.

Besides visiting three landmarks in City Beautiful, especially those designed by Swiss-French architect Le Corbusier, both will enter into agreements on developing Chandigarh, Puducherry and Nagpur as smart cities with Indo-French cooperation and exchange of expertise in various fields. Hollande, who is the chief guest at this year’s Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, is coming to India barely two months after the Paris terror attacks.

As many as three delegations, comprising 195 dignitaries, are accompanying Hollande to Chandigarh. Besides, a 63-member French security team and a 52-member foreign media party have already reached the city to cover the visit.

Hollande, who will be formally received by Modi at the Rock Garden at 3 pm, will be the chief guest at the Indo-French CEOs Forum at 4 pm and India France Business Summit at 4.45 pm.

Both events will take place at Hotel Taj. Hollande and Modi will visit Government Museum and Art Gallery. Hollande will go through the Capitol Complex before Modi’s arrival.

The 91-member official delegation, led by French Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Development Fabius Laurent, includes six French ministers and other dignitaries from different fields.

Besides, 38 members led by Hatt Sophie, head of the Security Group of the French President, and comprising senior officers from the French President’s office, will be present.

A 66-member business delegation will be led by Payal S Kanwar, Regional Director, IFCCI, and comprising business tycoons from France.

A security team of 63 French police personnel will be led by Pestouric Stephane.