Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi on Thursday received a warm welcome from members of the Indian community during a diaspora programme in Paris, where he described the gathering as resembling a “Bharat Connect” event at the conclusion of his visit to France.
Addressing the gathering, PM Modi said he had come with the greetings of 140 crore Indians and thanked the audience for the enthusiastic reception.
Modi noted that his government had recently completed 12 years in office and said serving the nation as the elected PM for over a decade had been his greatest privilege.
“This is the power of Indian democracy, which made a tea seller reach till here,” he said.
PM Modi also highlighted India’s economic progress, stating that the country’s GDP had doubled, while the number of airports and universities had also increased significantly.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi addressed VivaTech 2026, one of Europe’s largest technology and innovation conferences. During his visit, he also attended the G7 Summit in Evian and held bilateral meetings with several world leaders.
Members of the Indian diaspora described the interaction as a memorable and emotional experience.
In a post on X, PM Modi wrote: “Reached Paris a short while ago to a warm welcome by the Indian diaspora. I am proud of their efforts in bringing India and France closer. The India-France partnership is vital for the progress of our planet.”
Israel says operations in south Lebanon will continue
The Israeli military on Thursday said it would continue operations in southern Lebanon and act against threats beyond its declared security zone despite a US-Iran agreement aimed at ending the wider Middle East conflict.
The military released a map showing its security zone extending around 10 kilometres into Lebanese territory and said troops would remain deployed there to strengthen security along Israel’s northern border.
An Israeli military official stated that operations would continue to address threats to Israeli soldiers and civilians beyond the security zone. The announcement came a day after the United States (US) and Iran signed a memorandum of understanding intended to halt fighting across multiple fronts, including Lebanon.
Lebanese state media reported that one person was killed in an Israeli drone strike in southern Lebanon hours after the agreement was signed. Israel also confirmed the death of one of its soldiers in southern Lebanon and said seven others had been injured.
Israeli officials urged Lebanese civilians to avoid entering the security zone and called for coordination with the Lebanese Armed Forces. Direct talks between Israel and Lebanon have been taking place in Washington since April, with both sides seeking to end hostilities linked to the broader regional conflict.
Trump calls Iran agreement a major diplomatic success
US President Donald Trump strongly defended the Iran agreement during a press conference following the G7 Summit, describing it as a major diplomatic achievement that prevented a wider conflict in the Middle East.
“On Sunday, we reached an agreement with Iran that achieves everything we set out to accomplish — everything and much more,” Trump said, adding, “Ending the current conflict, reopening the Strait of Hormuz and preventing Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon, that’s what it was all about.”
Trump argued that continued military operations would have prolonged instability in the region and disrupted global energy markets.
“If we didn’t do this deal, we could have dropped more bombs for another three weeks, two weeks, four weeks, two years,” he said, adding, “You would never have the Hormuz Strait open.”
Ukraine launches major drone attack on Moscow
Ukraine on Thursday carried out one of its largest drone attacks on Moscow in recent years, triggering fires, damaging infrastructure and forcing evacuations at Russia’s largest airport.
Authorities said at least 17 people were injured in the strikes, which also set a shopping centre and an apartment building on fire. Thick black smoke was seen rising over parts of the Russian capital.
The attack took place as Russian President Vladimir Putin hosted Southeast Asian leaders at a summit in Kazan.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow would respond with “massive” strikes on Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky defended the operation, calling it an “absolutely justified response” to recent Russian attacks on Kyiv, including strikes that damaged a landmark cathedral and a UNESCO-protected 11th-century monastery.
Zelensky said he wanted Russian citizens to pressure President Putin over the consequences of the ongoing conflict, which remains Europe’s deadliest war since World War 2.
(With AFP, IANS, PTI, and ANI inputs)
PM Modi addresses diaspora in Paris; Israel vows to continue Lebanon operations
