France to take up climate issues with India

New Delhi: French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius will arrive here Thursday on an official visit during which he will discuss various international issues with a special focus on climate change with the Indian leadership.

During the day-long visit, Fabius is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, his Indian counterpart Sushma Swaraj, Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar and Railway Minister Suresh Prabhu.

Fabius will also attend the 15th edition of the Delhi Sustainable Development Summit along with French Ecology, Sustainable Development and Energy Minister Segolene Royal.

Fabius "will be taking up a range of international issues with a special focus on sustainable development and climate related issues", said French ambassador to India Francois Richier.

Notably, Fabius will chair the 2015 Paris Climate Conference in December.

Seen as a momentum-building measure, Richier said the visit will contribute towards strengthening bilateral foundation ahead of Modi's potential visit to France later this year.