Chandigarh: French President Francois Hollande arrived in Chandigarh on Sunday afternoon commencing his three-day visit to India from the city designed by a French architect. He was later joined by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
French President François Hollande arrives at Rock Garden of Chandigarh, meets PM Narendra Modi pic.twitter.com/ezRjEgXaJO
— ANI (@ANI_news) January 24, 2016
Hollande was welcomed by Governor of Punjab and Haryana Kaptan Singh Solanki and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, among others.
Bonjour Chandigarh! French President @fhollande arrives in the city for the first part of his State Visit to India pic.twitter.com/xB7B0fftsN
— Vikas Swarup (@MEAIndia) January 24, 2016
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."
A warm welcome to French President @fhollande. We are honoured & delighted to have him as the Chief Guest for Republic Day celebrations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2016
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."
President @fhollande & I will meet in Chandigarh & Delhi. We will build on the ground covered during our previous interactions.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 24, 2016
Others present at the airport included BJP MP from Chandigarh Kirron Kher, Advisor to Administrator Vijay Dev and Home Secretary Anurag Aggarwal. Bhangra and Gidha troupes presented a traditional welcome to Hollande.
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. After going to the tourist spots, Modi and Hollande will attend the 'India-France Business Summit' at a hotel here, before flying to New Delhi separately in the evening, official sources said.
