Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed French President Emmanuel Macron at the Lal Bahadur Shastri International Airport in Varanasi. The two leaders took a helicopter to Mirzapur where they inaugurated a solar power plant. This 75 megawatt solar plant is the largest in Uttar Pradesh.
PM Modi and President Macron will return to Varanasi and visit Deen Dayal Hastkala Sankul a trade facilitation center. The two leaders will also take a boat ride from Assi to Dashashwamedh Ghat later in the day.
A private meeting over lunch is on the agenda for the leaders. They will also inaugurate Varanasi Patna intercity train from the Manduadih Railway Station. The two leaders will leave for Delhi after the intercity train inauguration. PM Modi will address a public meeting before flying back to the capital city from the Varanasi airport.
On Sunday, the two leaders held the first conference for the first International Solar Alliance. PM Modi and President Macron co chaired the founding conference. PM Modi presented a 10 point plan focusing on making solar energy more affordable. During the conference, India announced it would dedicate $ 1.4 billion to 15 countries to help in solar power generation. France, on the other hand, made a whopping pledge of €700 million ($861.5 million.)
