Official India visit of Gérard Larcher, Chairman of the French Senate [fr]

The Chairman of the French Senate, H.E. Mr Gérard Larcher, was on an official visit to India on 19 and 20 February 2024 to strengthen bilateral ties and parliamentary cooperation. Mr Larcher was accompanied by a delegation of five other Senators who are members of the Senate’s Foreign Affairs and Defence Committee or the France-India Friendship Group. This marked the first official visit to India of a Chairman of the French Senate, the Upper House of France’s Parliament.

Mr Larcher and his delegation met with H.E. Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, Hon’ble Vice President of India and Chairman of Rajya Sabha. They discussed ways to increase cooperation and mutual understanding between the French Senate and India’s Parliament, including through a dedicated agreement. Mr Larcher was also given a guided tour of the new Parliament building.

Mr Larcher also met the Hon’ble External Affairs Minister, Dr S. Jaishankar, to discuss the current dynamic in bilateral relations and gain a better understanding of India’s growing geopolitical role.

During his visit, Mr Larcher met with business leaders of French companies present in India, particularly in the aerospace and defence sectors, and visited sites of French companies making key contributions to “Make in India” and “Skill India”.

The Senate

The Senate is the Upper House of the Parliament of the French Republic. Its 358 members - or Senators – are elected through indirect universal suffrage for a term of six years. As a legislative assembly, the Senate votes the laws stemming from government or parliamentary initiative.

The Chairman of the Senate ensures the stability of France’s institutions as she/he is called upon to replace the President of the Republic in the event of death or resignation. The Chairman is elected for a three-year term after each renewal of the Senate membership. Mr Gérard Larcher has been the Chairman of the Senate since October 2014, a post he also earlier held from 2008 to 2011.