Toulouse: After receiving support of his government's 'Make in India' initiative from Airbus facility and clicking selfies with students at French space centre CNES, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will on Saturday pay homage to the 10,000 Indian soldiers who were killed during World War I.
On the second day of his visit to France, Modi, accompanied by French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius, visited the Airbus A380 Assembly Line Facility in Toulouse.
As the PM visited the Airbus facility, the aircraft manufacturer expressed support to 'Make in India' initiative and said it is ready to manufacture in India.
Modi took the tour of the facility where planes are manufactured. He was given a briefing by officials on the functioning.
Amazing visit to @Airbus Facility. They are very enthusiastic about @makeinindia initiative. pic.twitter.com/2KBJCEvbq1
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 11, 2015
Airbus Group CEO Tom Enders, who received the Indian leader, said: "We are honoured to host Prime Minister Modi in Toulouse and convey to him our desire to forge a stronger industrial bond with India. India already takes a centre-stage role in our international activities and we want to even increase its contribution to our products."
"We support Prime Minister Modi's 'Make in India' call and (we) are ready to manufacture in India, for India and the world," he added.
Airbus Industries has assured Prime Minister Narendra Modi that its Indian outsourcing will increase from USD 400 million to USD 2 billion over the next five years as part of the `Make in India` initiative.
External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Syed Akbaruddin tweeted: "500% increase in 5 years. @Airbus to PMA @narendramodi : Indian outsourcing to increase from $400 mil to $2 billion."
"Make in India gains further momentum. $2 billion cumulative outsourcing planned by @Airbus from India by 2020," he posted.
In India, Airbus Group already operates two engineering centres - one focused on civil aviation and the other one defence - besides, a research and technology (R&T) centre which together employ over 400 highly qualified people.
The group's senior representative conveyed their decision to expand these centres so that they can take on comprehensive design responsibilities for future Airbus group programmes.
After the visit to Airbus, Modi went to the French space agency CNES. The students from India milled around Modim who was happy to click a selfie for them. The eager students crowded around Modi when he clicked the picture.
The Prime Minister is at the CNES in Toulouse. pic.twitter.com/EkCHcCm8Vc
— PMO India (@PMOIndia) April 11, 2015
Took selfies with young friends at CNES. We were all trying to take the best selfie out there. pic.twitter.com/xPmKNCgi3G
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) April 11, 2015
The students told the media that they were not part of the brain drain from India and would be willing to go back to their home country after finishing their studies. Many of them started chanting "Modi, Modi" as soon as the Indian Prime Minister arrived at the venue.
He will later go to Lille to visit the Neuve Chapelle war memorial to pay homage to the 10,000 Indian soldiers who were killed during World War I.
The Indian Prime Minister will return to Paris and attend a reception by the Indian community and also meet former French president Nicolas Sarkozy.
On Friday, Modi held talks with President Francois Hollande and both sides inked 17 agreements and three letters of intent. India also said it is buying 36 Rafale fighter jets in fly away condition as soon as possible.
Earlier, Modi was accorded a ceremonial welcome in the morning, after which he attended two back-to-back meetings with CEOs where `Make in India` was the focus.
He also visited the UNESCO headquarters in Paris where he spoke of the Indian government's commitment to ensure that every citizen, faith, culture and creed has an equal place in society.
(With Agency inputs)
