Indian diaspora in Paris emotional after meeting PM Modi on France visit
Synopsis
Thousands of miles from home, members of the Indian diaspora in Paris were moved to tears and pride as PM Modi arrived fresh from the G7 Summit in Evian. From a Coimbatore-born business owner to a scientist and a student benefiting from India-France work permits, the faces at the welcome ceremony told the story of a diaspora that sees Modi's visits as a personal homecoming — and a diplomatic signal rolled into one.
Key Takeaways
PM Modi arrived in Paris on 18 June after attending the G7 Summit in Evian, France .
Members of the Indian diaspora — including students, scientists, and business owners — described the meeting as deeply emotional and a source of national pride.
One diaspora member noted it was his third meeting with PM Modi since moving to France in 2023 .
Cultural groups including the Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band performed at the welcome ceremony, playing the patriotic song 'Ae Watan' .
PM Modi called the India-France partnership 'vital for the progress of our planet' in a post on X .
Indian students in France benefit from a two-year work permit under bilateral educational agreements.
Members of the Indian diaspora in Paris erupted in pride and emotion on Thursday, 18 June after meeting Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his visit to France. Attendees described the encounter as a deeply personal moment, saying the Prime Minister's presence bridged the distance from their homeland in a way few events could.
Voices from the Gathering
One community member, who has lived in France since 2023, said the meeting with PM Modi was his third since arriving. 'I am very proud. India and France share a strong relationship and a great friendship, and I am excited and honored to have met him once again,' he said.
A business owner originally from Coimbatore and now based in Paris called it 'a matter of great pride.' A visitor who had travelled to Paris for a holiday reflected the wider mood: 'All of us are very emotional. Indians here are deeply touched by his visit. Prime Minister Modi has completed 12 years in office, and I believe Indians would like to see him continue leading the country and taking it to greater heights.'
Scientists, Students and Cultural Groups
A scientist in the diaspora said the meeting stirred deep feeling. 'It feels as though someone from our own family has come here. I am especially happy about the opportunities and platforms being created for Indian innovators through the growing partnership between India and France,' the scientist said.
A student highlighted a concrete benefit of the bilateral relationship: the two-year work permit available to Indian students under India-France educational ties. 'I feel honored to be an Indian citizen and to have met the Prime Minister,' the student said.
Cultural groups representing Indian heritage in France also gathered for the welcome ceremony. Rahis Bharti, director of ensembles including the Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan, the Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band, and the Bollywood Masala Orchestra, said his entire group had been invited by the Embassy of India to perform at the Prime Minister's programme. Afridi Bhartiya, a member of the Dhoad Group, noted that the band played the patriotic song 'Ae Watan' during the welcome, calling it a moment of immense pride.
Modi's Arrival and Remarks
PM Modi arrived in Paris on Thursday morning after concluding a round of meetings at the G7 Summit in Evian, France. He said he was 'proud of the Indian community's efforts in bringing India and France closer to each other' and described the India-France partnership as 'vital for the progress of the planet Earth.'
On his official account on X, the Prime Minister wrote: 'Reached Paris a short while ago to a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora. I am proud of their efforts in bringing India and France closer. The India-France partnership is vital for the progress of our planet.'
Significance of the Visit
The Paris leg of the trip follows Modi's participation in the G7 Summit and underscores the deepening strategic and people-to-people ties between the two nations. For the Indian community in France — spanning students, entrepreneurs, scientists, and cultural performers — the visit served as both a diplomatic signal and a personal affirmation. The interaction is expected to reinforce diaspora engagement as a pillar of India's foreign policy outreach.
Point of View
High-visibility diaspora interactions that convert soft power into political capital both abroad and at home. What mainstream coverage often misses is the policy substance embedded in these moments: the two-year student work permit cited by the Paris student is a real bilateral gain, not just a photo opportunity. The deeper question is whether the India-France strategic partnership — frequently described as 'vital' — is being translated into defence, technology, and trade deliverables at a pace that matches the rhetoric.
NationPress
4 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did PM Modi visit Paris on 18 June?
PM Modi arrived in Paris on 18 June after attending the G7 Summit in Evian, France. The Paris leg of the trip included a meeting with the Indian diaspora and official engagements to strengthen India-France bilateral ties.
What did Indian diaspora members say after meeting PM Modi in Paris?
Diaspora members described the meeting as deeply emotional, with several saying it felt like a family member had arrived. A business owner from Coimbatore, a scientist, a student, and cultural performers all expressed pride and gratitude at the encounter.
What is the two-year work permit benefit for Indian students in France?
Under the India-France bilateral relationship, Indian students in France are eligible for a two-year work permit after completing their studies. This was cited by a student at the Paris diaspora event as a significant opportunity enabled by strong ties between the two countries.
Which cultural groups performed at PM Modi's welcome ceremony in Paris?
The Dhoad Gypsies of Rajasthan, the Jaipur Maharaja Brass Band, and the Bollywood Masala Orchestra — all part of the Dhoad Group led by director Rahis Bharti — performed at the welcome ceremony. The band played the patriotic song 'Ae Watan' during the event.
What did PM Modi say about the India-France partnership?
PM Modi said he was proud of the Indian community's efforts in bringing India and France closer, and described the India-France partnership as 'vital for the progress of our planet.' He made these remarks both at the diaspora event and in a post on his official X account.
