French minister in Delhi to lay groundwork for Modi's visit to France

French minister of state for foreign affairs was in Delhi on Monday to meet External Affairs Minister Jaishankar, minister of state in Ministry of External Affairs V Muraleedharan and minister of state in the Ministry of Commerce and Industry Hardeep Singh Puri.

Terror, trade and defence engagement topped the agenda during his visit to lay the groundwork Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France to attend 45th G7 Summit in Biarritz onAugust 2019.

India confirmed that invite has been extended for G7 summit.

The MEA in a release said, "Prime Minister has received an invitation from the President of France Emmanuel Macron to attend the Outreach Session at the G-7 Summit in Biarritz as a Special Invitee."

"The invitation is a reflection of the personal chemistry between the two leaders, a demonstration of our deepening strategic partnership and recognition of India as a major economic power. PM has accepted the invitation to attend the event which will also include a bilateral component," the release added.

Speaking to media on French Invite for G7, the French minister said, "President Macron and PM Modi have a strong relationship personally and that is why President Macron was happy to invite PM Modi to join the G7 leaders meeting at the end of August."

On Rafale Deal, he said, "French government doesn't care about controversies. We just want to deliver; it's in the national interest of the two countries."

Explaining, that "We want France and India to be more sovereign and Rafale is a tool for better sovereignty for India."

This is the first French ministerial visit after the formation of the new government back home.