New Delhi:
Prime Minister Narendra Modi flies out today for his visit to France, Germany and Canada, in which he plans to take his "Make in India" push to Eurozone's two biggest economies.
10 Point Cheat-sheet on PM's Visit
PM Modi and French President Francois Hollande will share a boat ride on the river Seine, dubbed "Naav Pe Charcha (chat on a boat)" by foreign secretary S Jaishankar.
Uncertainty over a deal for India to buy 126 Rafale fighter jets from the French company Dassault Aviation is expected to be discussed, but the French president has told reporters that he doesn't want the issue to define ties.
A delayed deal with French nuclear giant Areva, still awaiting a go-ahead five years after a bilateral civil nuclear accord, could also be taken up.
PM Modi is expected to visit a World War memorial and also spend some time at CNES, the French government space agency.
After a meeting with former president Nicolas Sarkozy, the prime minister will leave for Hannover, Germany.
PM Modi and Chancellor Angela Merkel will inaugurate one of the world's biggest trade fairs and address a business meet in Hannover. Germany is India's largest trading partner in the European Union, with bilateral trade amounting to some 16 billion euros in 2014.
In Berlin, Mr Modi is expected to address a community reception.
After wrapping up his European tour, PM Modi will fly to Canada. It will be the first visit to the country by any Indian prime minister in 40 years.
The prime minister will visit Ottawa, Toronto and Vancouver and interact with the political and business class, said Mr Jaishankar.
The cleaning of the river Ganga, another pet project of PM Modi, will also figure in talks. Asked about the proposed Rhine model for Ganga cleaning, the foreign secretary said, "Ganga cleaning very much part of our agenda. How to get German companies more involved in Ganga Rejuvenation will be discussed."
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