Embrace a new era of bilateral relations between India and France, brought forth by Prime Minister Narendra Modi's historic two-day visit to France! Making a series of vital announcements, PM Modi has unveiled opportunities that are sure to usher in prosperous outcomes for India and the Indian community residing in France.

Let's dive into the first major declaration: A significant extension in the duration of the post-study work visa for Indian students in France! PM Modi enthusiastically communicated to the Indian diaspora gathered at La Seine Musicale in Paris, "During my previous visit to France, it was decided that Indian students studying here would be given a 2-year post-study work visa. But now, we have escalated it to a five-year post-study work visa." This move illustrates the deepening academic ties between the two nations and promises a brighter future for Indian students in France.

The number of Indian students selecting France for their higher education pursuits has been steadily rising over the past three years, crossing the 6,000 mark recently. A close look at the figures reveals that about 40% of these students are enrolled in master's programmes, 21% in bachelor’s, and the remaining 39% are pursuing higher education, including PhD programmes. This extension in the visa period will undoubtedly make France an even more attractive destination for Indian students.

Further emphasizing the collaboration between the two nations, PM Modi announced the establishment of a new Indian consulate in Marseille. This move will significantly enhance India's diplomatic presence and aid in better serving the Indian community in France.

PM Modi also accentuated the necessity of linking academicians and professionals in France with India. He acknowledged the eagerness of teachers, professors, and professionals abroad to contribute their knowledge and experiences to India, assuring that it will now be easier for them to collaborate with Indian institutions. This exciting development promises to strengthen India's academic and research fields.

PM Modi also took the opportunity to celebrate India's success in the digital domain, specifically the growth of UPI (Unified Payments System). He underscored the importance of digital infrastructure as a cornerstone of the India-France partnership and proudly announced that India accounts for 46% of global real-time payment transactions.

For a country of over a billion people, adopting digital transactions on such a scale is truly a remarkable achievement. He further encouraged the Indian diaspora in France to leverage UPI during their travels in India, enabling them to go cashless and rely solely on their mobile phones with the UPI app. As per records, India had a staggering 89.5 million digital transactions in 2022, exceeding the total digital payment transactions of the other four top economies combined.

In a significant stride for India's digital economy ambitions, PM Modi proclaimed the introduction of UPI in France. "An agreement is in place for the use of India's UPI. Starting from the Eiffel Tower, Indian tourists will now be able to make payments in Rupees, through UPI," he stated. This remarkable development comes after the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and Lyra, France’s major online payment system, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2022.

With this agreement, Lyra Networks' terminals and machines will accept payments made with UPI and Rupay cards from Indians, making transactions more accessible for Indian tourists and students. UPI is already operational in the UAE, Bhutan, and Nepal, and its introduction in France adds another feather in India's cap.

In addition to these milestones, PM Modi's visit marked the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership. Honoring this special occasion, French President Emmanuel Macron has invited PM Modi to attend the Bastille Day Parade as a Guest of Honour.

PM Modi received the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour from President Macron, the highest French honor in military or civilian orders. With this, PM Modi became the first Indian Prime Minister to receive this honor, making every Indian's heart swell with pride. This two-day visit by PM Modi has indeed further cemented the bond between India and France, paving the way for more enriching collaborations in the future.

Key takeaways from PM Modi’s address to the Indian diaspora in France

Prime Minister Narendra Modi's stirring speech at La Seine Musicale Centre in Paris's western suburbs brought together Indian diaspora members on Thursday, July 14. This heartwarming event saw PM Modi reaching out to the expatriate Indian community with words of comfort, pride, and a shared sense of identity.

PM Modi's Home Away from Home With an expression of absolute warmth, PM Modi started his address stating, "Away from the country, when I hear the call of Bharat Mata Ki Jai, it feels as if I have come home. Wherever we Indians go, we definitely create a mini India." This opening sentiment reflected his strong emotional connection with India and its citizens worldwide, setting an intimate tone for the entire address.

PM Modi also recognized the unique and powerful contributions of Indians abroad, stating, "Be it climate change, global supply chain, terrorism, extremism, India's experience in dealing with every challenge is proving helpful to the world." This acknowledgment highlights the valuable role that Indians and their experiences play on the global stage, regardless of the adversity faced.

A Changing India Building on this narrative, PM Modi spoke about the transformation taking place in India. He expressed his firm belief that this significant change was driven by the everyday citizens of India, particularly its women and youth. His statement, "Today the whole world is full of new hope and new hope towards India," resonated with a sense of optimism and faith in India's progressive future.

Reflecting his relentless dedication to the nation, PM Modi asserted, "I came out of my home with a resolve. Every part of me and every moment of time is dedicated to my countrymen." This determination conveys his unwavering commitment to India's development and prosperity.

India’s Rising Global Stature In his address, PM Modi proudly acclaimed India as the 'mother of democracy' and an epitome of diversity, laying stress on the country's success story. He highlighted India's growth into the world’s 5th largest economy over the last decade, sparking immense pride among Indians worldwide.

He further mentioned the world's growing confidence in India's potential to become a 5 trillion-dollar economy. His remarks were supplemented by the United Nations Development Programme's (UNDP) report that applauded India for lifting an astounding 415 million people out of poverty in the past 15 years.

Shining a light on India's expanding global role, PM Modi discussed the country's presidency of the G20 group amid the emerging new world order. He revealed that, under India's leadership, the group is set to host more than 200 meetings across the country for the first time in history.

The UPI Revolution and India’s Digital Transformation PM Modi didn't miss the chance to talk about the impressive success of the Unified Payments Interface (UPI) in India. He declared, "Today 46% of the world's real-time digital transactions take place in India," demonstrating the widespread adoption of this digital innovation.

He threw a friendly challenge to the Indian diaspora to travel in India without carrying any cash, instead, to rely solely on the UPI app for payments. PM Modi also praised the role of 24/7 banking services and direct benefit transfer schemes in bringing about a massive social transformation in India.

Moreover, PM Modi announced that an agreement had been reached to launch the UPI payment service in France, starting from the iconic Eiffel Tower. This decision is expected to ease financial transactions for Indian tourists in France.

Strengthening India-France Relations PM Modi spoke about the deepening relations between India and France, revealing the extension of the post-study visa for Indian students in France from 2 years to 5 years. He highlighted the ongoing archaeological missions between India and France, ranging from Chandigarh to Ladakh. He also mentioned the role of digital infrastructure in strengthening the bilateral ties.

In a lighter vein, PM Modi applauded French footballer Kylian Mbappe, acknowledging his popularity among the youth in India. The Indian Prime Minister also expressed gratitude to the French government for honoring the Indian soldiers who served France over a century ago.

Reflecting on his personal connection with France, he reminisced about becoming the first member of a French cultural centre, Alliance française, in Ahmedabad when it opened 40 years ago.

Call for Investment in India and Boosting Tourism PM Modi commended the scientists at the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for launching the Chandrayaan-3 space mission. He extended a warm invitation to the world to invest in India, touting the country's growth potential.

Moreover, PM Modi urged the Indian diaspora to promote tourism to India among French citizens, promising them an enriching experience of India's rich cultural heritage. This call to action not only seeks to boost India's tourism industry but also fosters a deeper understanding and appreciation of Indian culture worldwide.

In conclusion, PM Modi's address was filled with optimism, pride, and a shared sense of identity. His words reflected not just the progress that India has made, but also the limitless possibilities that lie ahead for the nation and its people.