Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the French capital on the first leg of his three-nation visit.

 

 

 The prime minister's special Air India aircraft landed at the Orly International Airport late Thursday night, or just past midnight India time.

 

 He was received at the airport by French Minister Sergolene Royal and other senior French officials. Many members of the Indian community were gathered at the airport to greet the prime minister.

 

 Modi will begin his diplomatic engagements from Friday.

 

 The prime minister flies to Germany on April 12 and later travels to Canada.