PARIS, Feb 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in Marseille, southern France, to pay tribute to freedom fighter V.D. Savarkar, who made a bold attempt to escape from this port city.
“Just landed in Marseille. This city is significant in India’s fight for freedom, as it is where the brave Veer Savarkar attempted an audacious escape,” Modi noted in a post on X following his arrival on Tuesday night (local time).
He expressed gratitude towards the residents of Marseille and the French activists of that era who advocated against Savarkar’s extradition to British authorities. “The courage of Veer Savarkar continues to motivate future generations!” he added.
In a late-night update (IST 4:18 am) on X, Modi mentioned, “President Macron and I just arrived in Marseille. Our visit is set to include vital initiatives aimed at strengthening the ties between India and France. The inauguration of the Indian consulate will enhance personal connections. Additionally, I will pay respects to the Indian soldiers who sacrificed their lives in the First and Second World Wars.”
During the British colonial period, Savarkar attempted to break free from captivity on July 8, 1910, while being transported aboard the British ship Morea to face trial in India.
He famously managed to escape through a porthole of the ship and swam to shore, only to be recaptured by French authorities and returned to British custody. This incident sparked a significant diplomatic controversy, leading to Savarkar receiving a life imprisonment sentence at Cellular Jail in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
Prime Minister Modi is in Marseille to inaugurate the new Consulate General of India alongside French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders have a series of engagements planned for Wednesday, including a visit to the Mazargues War Cemetery to honor the Indian soldiers who fought and died in the World Wars.
They will also explore the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER) project, which is focused on international nuclear fusion collaboration.
Earlier on Tuesday, both participated in the AI Action Summit and the 14th India-France CEOs Forum.
