New Delhi/UNI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will pay an official visit to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from July 13-15, 2023, said the Ministry of External Affairs on Wednesday.

The Prime Minister will visit Paris from July 13-14 at the invitation of Emmanuel Macron, President of France.

"The Prime Minister will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade on July 14 (France National Day), where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent will be participating," it said.

He will hold formal talks with President Macron and host a State Banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the Prime Minister.

PM Modi is also scheduled to meet the Prime Minister of France as well as the Presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France, as per the statement.

He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

"This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership, and the Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic, and economic cooperation," it said.

After France, the Prime Minister will visit Abu Dhabi on July 15.

The Ministry said the Prime Minister will hold talks with Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi.

The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening, and the Prime Minister’s visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence, and culture.

"It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of UAE’s Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and India’s G-20 Presidency, in which UAE is a Special Invitee," said the statement.