Ahead of Republic Day, Chandigarh welcomes French President

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.

Hollande was welcomed by Governor of Punjab and Haryana Kaptan Singh Solanki and Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, among others.

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."

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."

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.