PM Modi in France: PM Narendra Modi Visits Mazargues Cemetery in Marseille Along With French President Emmanuel Macron, Pays Tribute to Indian Soldiers Who Fought During First World War (See Pics and Watch Video)

Paris, February 12: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday visited the historic Mazargues Cemetery in Marseille city here along with French President Emmanuel Macron and paid tribute to the Indian soldiers who made sacrifices fighting in the Great War. At a solemn ceremony held at the site, Modi laid a wreath composed of tricolour-themed flowers.

A large number of Indian soldiers are commemorated in this war cemetery that is maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC). Modi, who is on a three-day visit to France, on Tuesday co-chaired the AI Action Summit along with President Emmanuel Macron and addressed business leaders. He arrived in Paris on February 10. PM Narendra Modi To Be Among the First Few World Leaders To Visit US After January 20 Inauguration, Will Hold Bilateral Meeting With Donald Trump.

The First World War, also called the Great War, took place during 1914-18 while the Second World War happened during 1939-45. According to the website of the CWGC, "There are now 1,487, 1914-18 and 267, 1939-45 war casualties commemorated in this site. 205 of the Indian casualties, who were cremated, are commemorated on a memorial at the rear of the cemetery." AI Action Summit in Paris: PM Narendra Modi Meets Google CEO Sundar Pichai in France, Discusses 'India's Digital Transformation' (See Pic).

PM Narendra Modi Visits Mazargues Cemetery in Marseille

The Mazargues Indian Memorial was unveiled by Field Marshal Sir William Birdwood in July 1925. "In addition, eight members of the Egyptian Labour Corps, who were buried in Le Canet New Communal Cemetery at the time, but whose graves were later lost, are commemorated on a stone tablet on the left-hand wall of the war cemetery," it said. The cemetery covers an area of 9,021 sq m, as per the CWGC website.