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‘Bonjour Modi’: PM Addresses 1,500-Strong Indian Diaspora at Grand Paris Event

In an evening charged with emotion, cultural pride, and diplomatic symbolism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed approximately 1,500 members of the Indian diaspora

Rohit Joshi 43 minutes ago · 4 min read

In an evening charged with emotion, cultural pride, and diplomatic symbolism, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed approximately 1,500 members of the Indian diaspora at the “Bonjour Modi” community event in Paris on Thursday, capping a six-day European tour with a celebration of India-France people-to-people ties. The event, held at a prominent Paris venue, featured cultural performances, standing ovations, and Modi’s characteristic blend of personal warmth and national ambition.

The Indian community in France numbers approximately 1.2 lakh (120,000), with about 90,000 people of Indian origin and around 29,000 Indian nationals. While smaller than Indian diaspora communities in the US, UK, or the Gulf, the French-Indian community punches above its weight in areas including technology, academia, healthcare, and entrepreneurship — making the “Bonjour Modi” event both a celebration of community achievement and a statement of bilateral warmth.

The Event: Cultural Showcase and Personal Touch

The “Bonjour Modi” event opened with cultural performances that blended Indian classical and contemporary arts — a deliberate showcase of the cultural bridge that the diaspora represents between two ancient civilisations. Dancers, musicians, and performers presented a programme that drew from both Indian and French cultural traditions, reflecting the theme of convergence that has characterised Modi’s European tour.

Modi’s address to the community was personal and direct. He spoke of the contributions of Indian professionals and students in France, acknowledged the community’s role as ambassadors of Indian culture and values, and emphasised that every Indian abroad carries the spirit of 1.4 billion people. The crowd responded with enthusiastic chanting of “Modi, Modi” and sustained applause.

The Prime Minister also used the occasion to highlight India’s recent achievements: the India-EU free trade agreement, the Innovation Roadmap 2030 with France, India’s role at the G7 Summit, and the country’s growing technology leadership as demonstrated at VivaTech 2026. These references connected the community event to the broader diplomatic narrative of India’s rising global stature.

India-France People-to-People Ties

The “Bonjour Modi” event highlighted several dimensions of the India-France relationship that extend beyond government-to-government diplomacy:

Students and Academics: France has emerged as an increasingly popular destination for Indian students, with over 15,000 Indian students currently enrolled in French universities and grandes écoles. The two countries have expanded scholarship programmes, mutual recognition of degrees, and joint research initiatives that create pathways for long-term academic collaboration.

Technology Professionals: India’s IT and technology professionals have a growing presence in France’s tech ecosystem, particularly in Paris, Toulouse, and Lyon. The VivaTech partnership and the Innovation Roadmap 2030 are expected to accelerate this trend, creating new opportunities for Indian technology entrepreneurs and professionals in France.

Cultural Exchange: India and France share deep cultural connections that predate their modern diplomatic relationship. From Romain Rolland’s fascination with Indian philosophy to the Cité Internationale des Arts’ residency programmes for Indian artists, the cultural bridge between the two civilisations has been enriched by centuries of exchange.

Diaspora Diplomacy: A Modi Signature

Community events have become a signature element of Modi’s foreign visits, serving both domestic and international purposes. For the Indian diaspora, these events provide recognition, visibility, and a sense of connection to the homeland. For India’s diplomatic strategy, they demonstrate the country’s global soft power and the scale of its international footprint.

The “Bonjour Modi” event in Paris follows similar diaspora gatherings during Modi’s visits to New York, Houston, Sydney, London, and other major cities. Each event is tailored to the local community but follows a consistent format: cultural performances, the Prime Minister’s address, and an atmosphere of celebration and national pride.

The Broader Tour Context

The Paris diaspora event provided an emotional conclusion to what has been one of Modi’s most consequential European tours. Over six days, the Prime Minister participated in the G7 Summit, made the first-ever Indian Prime Ministerial visit to Slovakia, adopted the Innovation Roadmap 2030 with France, and showcased India’s AI leadership at VivaTech. The “Bonjour Modi” event added a human dimension to these diplomatic achievements, reminding audiences that international relationships are ultimately built not just between governments but between people.

For the 1,500 attendees — many of whom had waited hours to secure their seats — the evening was a moment of pride and belonging. For India’s foreign policy, it was another demonstration that the country’s global influence extends far beyond traditional diplomacy, into the hearts and homes of a diaspora that now spans every continent and every sector of the global economy.

Rohit Joshi

Rohit Joshi is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Daily Tips. With over a decade of experience in digital journalism and editorial leadership, he oversees all editorial operations — from story selection and fact-checking to maintaining the publication's standards of accuracy and fairness. He specialises in business, economy, and technology reporting, and founded Daily Tips to create a trusted, independent platform covering the full spectrum of Indian life.

Rohit Joshi

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