PM Modi meets 'friend' Emmanuel Macron after he arrives in Paris

"Delighted to meet my friend, President Macron in Paris," PM Modi posted on X.

During his visit, PM Modi will be holding talks with Macron towards strengthening India-France relations.

He will also be going to Marseille to inaugurate a Consulate there.

He was accorded a grand welcome by the Indian community on his arrival despite the cold weather.

Following his visit to Paris, PM Modi will head to the US to meet President Donald Trump in Washington DC.

"This visit will further cement India-USA friendship and boost ties in diverse sectors. I warmly recall working with President Trump during his first term and I am sure our talks will build on the ground covered then," he said at the onset of the journey.

This will be PM Modi's first visit to the US after Donald Trump assumed office in January this year after coming back to power for a historic second term.

The visit also comes amid a massive row in India over the deportation of 104 Indian migrants recently who were chained and handcuffed during the process and the entire 24-hour flight.

Opposition leaders have slammed the Modi government over the way the deportation has been carried out.