Watch | Crowd chants ‘Modi Modi’ as Macron and Modi inaugurate Indian consulate in France’s Marseille

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday received a warm reception from the crowd when both leaders jointly inaugurated India’s new consulate in Marseille.

After the grand welcome, the crowd chanted ‘Modi, Modi’ at the newly opened consulate.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron greet the Indian diaspora present to witness the inauguration of the Indian consulate in Marseilles pic.twitter.com/XZDtJijLBJ

— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2025

The two leaders waved to the crowd from the consulate balcony after the inauguration, holding hands to show their strong bond.

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed with the sound of dhols, ahead of the opening of the Indian consulate in Marseilles

(Source: ANI/DD) pic.twitter.com/a0llqRLXYR

— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2025

Both leaders were also warmly welcomed by the crowd, with the beats of dhols and loud cheers from the local Indian community, who greeted them with chants of ‘Modi, Modi.’

#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron jointly inaugurate the Indian consulate in Marseilles pic.twitter.com/8lgOghgP7C

— ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2025

The consulate was opened after Prime Minister Modi paid tribute to fallen Indian soldiers at the Mazargues War Cemetery in Marseille. He and the French president laid wreaths for the soldiers who died in the world wars.

PM Modi is on a three-day visit to France. He co-chaired the AI Action Summit along with Macron.

During his address, PM Modi emphasized the need for ethical considerations in AI development and highlighted concerns about biases and potential job losses due to automation.

After this, he is scheduled to embark on a two-day visit to the United States, where he will meet the newly sworn-in US President Donald Trump.