Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Sunday that India-France relations have reached new heights, adding that the two countries’ strategic partnership is particularly significant because it is built on b foundations of centuries-old cultural and historical ties.
A grand Hindu temple was inaugurated in Paris, the capital of France. Prime Minister Modi addressed the inauguration ceremony through video conferencing on Sunday. He highlighted the strengthening ties between India and France and expressed hope that the temple established in Paris would remain a symbol of cultural ties, cooperation and new opportunities between the two countries for a long time to come.
Modi said that India-France relations have reached new heights in recent years and that the two countries are continuously strengthening their special global strategic partnership. He also reiterated his commitment to advancing the partnership jointly with French President Emmanuel Macron.
Addressing the inauguration ceremony of the Swaminarayan temple in Paris, Prime Minister Modi said cooperation between India and France has expanded beyond traditional areas to important sectors such as technology, artificial intelligence (AI), defence, space and climate action. He said the two countries are working together in these areas with new momentum and energy.
According to the Prime Minister, India-France relations are not limited to strategic interests, but are also supported by the long-standing cultural and historical ties between the two countries.
Modi said that 2026 is being observed as the India-France Year of Innovation. He described it as an important opportunity to take cooperation between the two countries to a new level.
Prime Minister Modi linked the Hindu temple in Paris with the deep cultural ties between India and France and said that it could serve not only as a religious site but also as a means of dialogue and cooperation between the two countries. He expressed hope that the grand temple would become a lasting symbol of friendship, cooperation and opportunities between India and France for future generations.
The construction of the temple is also being linked to the growing presence of Indian culture and spiritual traditions in Europe.
In his address, Prime Minister Modi also referred to the historical ties between the two countries. He said history bears witness to the important sacrifices made by Indian soldiers on French soil and that their memory remains alive among people.
He also spoke about the intellectual and cultural ties between India and France, saying that French scholars have contributed to the study and promotion of Sanskrit. The work of French writer Romain Rolland on Ramakrishna Paramahamsa and Swami Vivekananda played a role in helping the two societies understand and come closer to each other.
The Prime Minister also referred to the spiritual links between India and France and recalled ‘The Mother’s’ journey associated with the Sri Aurobindo Ashram. He said that ‘The Mother’s’ spiritual journey from Paris to the Sri Aurobindo Ashram in Puducherry inspired many seekers in both India and France.
He also said that the arrival of Srila Prabhupada Swami in France several decades ago marked the beginning of a new chapter in the spiritual connection between the two countries. Through ISKCON, Indian spiritual traditions reached France and several other parts of the world.
