Describing it as a “historic moment,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday jointly inaugurated the Indian Consulate in Marseille. PM Modi recounted how during the First World War,

PM Modi and French President Macron were warmly welcomed by the crowd during the inauguration of India’s new consulate in Marseille. The leaders were greeted with chants of ‘Modi, Modi’ and traditional dhol beats.

The French and Indian leaders are showcasing Franco-Indian ties with a joint visit to Marseille, focusing on trade, nuclear energy, and defence cooperation.

Marseilles was the base of the Indian troops in France during the 1914-18 war and throughout the War the Royal Navy, the Merchant Navy, British troops and labour units worked in the port or passed through it,

French city Marseille on Feb 12 came alive with Indian diaspora ushering in celebration ahead of the launching of the Indian consulate in Marseille, France, to be jointly inaugurated by PM Modi and French President Macron.