The French Ambassador to India, Francois Richier, has embarked on a three-day visit to Bihar starting today, the Embassy has said in a press statement.
This trip is part of a series of travels throughout India to expand the scope of Indo-French cooperation and develop joint, forward-looking projects in various fields, notably economic exchanges, education, science and culture.
The statement adds that the envoy will travel to Bodhgaya, Rajgir, Nalanda, Patna and Sonepur, to interact with various interest groups and eminent personalities in the State.
On December 3, Ambassador Richier will meet with the Chief Minister Nitish Kumar to discuss potential areas of cooperation while the following day the Envoy will have a meeting with various members of the Bihar business community in Patna. Until now, only a few French companies have started to engage with Bihar.
On December 3, the Ambassador will meet Gopa Sabharwal, Vice Chancellor, International University, Nalanda, and tour this site which has been the brainchild of India’s foremost economist and Nobel laureate Amartya Sen.
The French Ambassador will also engage with the cultural and academic community in Patna and exchange with scientific research institutes like the National Institute of Technology based in Patna on December 4.
NIT faculty and students have demonstrated outstanding ability and aptitude for research in areas in which France has developed fundamental research, strong expertise and high-end technology.