Modi, Hollande meet Indian, French CEOs in Chandigarh

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, January 24

French President Francois Hollande on Sunday began the economic part of his three-day India visit meeting, along with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief executives of Indian and French companies.

"Getting to the economic deliberations... both leaders interact with the Indo-French CEO forum. @Elysee," tweeted the the Prime Minister's Office.

Meanwhile, Chandigarh, Puducherry and Nagpur signed Memorandums of Understandings (MoUs) with the Agence Francaise De Development (AFD), a French government entity, to develop these as smart cities with Indo-French cooperation and exchange of expertise in the fields of water supply, sanitation, transport and waste management.

The agreements were signed before French President Francois Hollande and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hotel Taj.

The decision to sign the agreements was taken during Modi's visit to France last year.

France had shown interest to develop Indian cities with French connection first. Puducherry was a French colony and Chandigarh's architecture was developed by French architects.

Sources said the help from France will come even if the cities fail to find place in the official list of the Indian government’s smart city project. UT Adviser Vijay Kumar Dev signed the MoU on Chandigarh's behalf.

(Read: City turns fortress to host French guest)

Hollande, who is to be chief guest at India's 67th Republic Day parade, earlier touched down in Chandigarh to begin his three-day visit.

After spending some time at Rock Garden, Modi and Hollande left for Capitol Complex. "After the Rock Garden, the Capitol Complex is where President @fhollande and PM @narendramodi are visiting," the Prime Minister's Office tweeted.

Located in the heart of Chandigarh, the complex houses the seats of government of both Punjab and Haryana. Like in the case of the city itself, the complex was designed by French architect Le Corbusier.

After visiting city’s tourist spots, French President Hollande and Prime Minister Narendra Modi reached Hotel Taj in Sector 17 to address Indo-French CEOs Forum and India-France Business Summit.

After attending several events in the city, Hollande and Modi on Sunday evening left for New Delhi.

Earlier, Hollande was welcomed by Governor of Punjab and Haryana Kaptan Singh Solanki and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, among others on his arrival at airport. 

Unlike the previous visit of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Chandigarh on September 11 last year, this time there are no restrictions on public places like Rock Garden for the visit of PM Modi and the French President.

Authorities allowed visitors to enter phases 1, 2 and 3 of Rock Garden. However, the exit gate of Rock Garden was closed for 30 minutes, causing inconvenience to tourists and other visitors.

WATCH: French President François Hollande received by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Rock Garden of Chandigarh. https://t.co/GxH6AkTo0w

— ANI (@ANI_news) January 24, 2016

Traffic snarls on roads

Traffic snarls were witnessed on the roads leading to the route through which the cavalcade of French President moved in the city today afternoon. 

However, being Sunday the rush of vehicles on the roads was less which saved commuters from inconvenience.

Shortly before the arrival of the French leader, Modi tweeted, "A warm welcome to French President @fhollande. We are honoured & delighted to have him as the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations."

The Prime Minister in a second tweet said, "President @fhollande & I will meet in Chandigarh & Delhi. We will build on the ground covered during our previous interactions."

Bhangra and Gidda troupes presented a traditional welcome to Hollande. (Below: A traditional welcome for the distinguished guest from France, tweeted by Vikas Swarup@MEAIndia)

A traditional welcome for the distinguished guest from France https://t.co/hpYI7iqH2i

— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) January 24, 2016

(Read: Poulet Roti meets Makki di Roti)

A thick security blanket has been thrown in and around the joint capital of Punjab and Haryana that is hosting a President from a foreign country for the first time. — With inputs from Agencies