France looks forward to working with new Indian PM: Francois Hollande

Ahmedabad, 17 May, 2014

France has said it looks forward to bolster relations and strategic partnership with India under the country’s new government led by Narendra Modi.

Congratulated India on its “outstanding” general elections, French President Francois Hollande praised high turnout at the polls, which, he said, showed the exceptional vitality of the Indian democracy.

“The president of the republic and the government of France look forward to meeting and working with the next prime minister and government of India, to bolster relations and carry the strategic partnership between India and France to an ever higher level of trust and cooperation,” he said in a statement issued yesterday.

“India can count on France’s steadfast friendship,” the statement said.

Full text of statement:

France congratulates the people and authorities of India on the outstanding conduct of the Indian general elections, the results of which have just been made public.

The very high turnout at the polls has shown the exceptional vitality of Indian democracy.

The President of the Republic and the Government of France look forward to meeting and working with the next Prime Minister and Government of India, to bolster relations and carry the strategic partnership between India and France to an ever higher level of trust and cooperation.

India can count on France’s steadfast friendship.