PM Modi, Prez Macron jointly inaugurate India's new consulate in France's Marseille

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday jointly inaugurated India's new consulate in France's Marseille city.

Modi is currently visiting France at the invitation of President Macron. The two leaders jointly inaugurated India's new consulate in Marseille with the press of a button amid cheers from the gathered crowd.

A historic moment in Marseille!

President @EmmanuelMacron and I inaugurated the Indian Consulate in this vibrant city, marking a new chapter in India-France ties. This consulate will serve as an important bridge, strengthening our cultural, economic and people-to-people… pic.twitter.com/xXRH13mzON

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 12, 2025

Many of these people had come bearing national flags of both India and France, while some sported a tricolour headgear, adding colour to the occasion.

Prior to the inauguration, Modi and Macron visited the historic Mazargues Cemetery, and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made sacrifices fighting in the Great War.

More than 100,000 Indians fought for France in 1914. Ten thousand never returned. They set foot on the soil of Marseille before fighting in the mud of the trenches, unaware that they were marching to their deaths.

Their sacrifice binds France and India forever. pic.twitter.com/lmjbawDCdh

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) February 12, 2025

Later, the two leaders also interacted with a section of the people in the crowd.