Digital India to create participative, transparent government: Modi

Paris, April 10
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that a digital India will create a participative and transparent government.

"Our digital India will create a participative, transparent and a responsive government connected to our citizens," Modi said while addressing a gathering at the Unesco headquarters here.

Modi also reiterated that he stands for tolerance in society. "We will protect and defend the right of every citizen. Every faith, culture and religion has space in our society," the prime minister added.

Modi also said that he would fight for the equality of women and education of the girl child.

"The programme to educate and support the girl child in India is one that is closest to my heart," Modi added.

Mentioning the United Nations, the prime minister said it was the organisation that keeps the world together.

"No organisation serves our cause more than United Nations ," he said.
Paris, April 10
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is in France on the first leg of a three-nation visit, was on Friday accorded a ceremonial welcome here.

Modi arrived here on Thursday night on board his special aircraft on a two-day official visit.

French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius was present during the ceremonial reception accorded to Modi at the large courtyard of the seventh century Les Invalides, which houses a military museum.

After the ceremony, Modi accompanied by Fabius proceeded to attend two back-to-back French CEOs forum meetings, one on infrastructure and the other on defence technology.

Modi will later visit the Unesco headquarters where he will give a speech. He will attend a lunch at the French National Assembly and interact with some political leaders.

The India-France CEOs Forum, which held a meeting on Thursday, is to present its report on the ways to boost bilateral trade when Modi meets French President Francois Hollande later in the day.

After Modi and Hollande hold talks, a number of agreements are set to be inked.

In the evening, Modi and Hollande will go on a boat ride on the Seine river, in a "nav pey charcha" moment. He will also attend a banquet by Hollande.

Modi arrived to a red carpet welcome on Thursday night and was received by Thierry Braillard, minister of state for sports, according to a tweet by the Indian embassy in Paris.

Modi also interacted with a large number of the Indian community who were present at the airport to greet him.