In Marseille, PM Modi recalls city’s connection to freedom fighter Veer Savarkar: ‘It was here that...’

PM Modi was on a three-day visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron (Image: @narendramodi)

Upon his arrival in Marseille on Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the French city’s historical importance in India’s freedom struggle as he mentioned about freedom fighter Veer Savarkar’s daring escape attempt from there.

PM Modi reached Marseille to inaugurate a new Consulate General of India with French President Emmanuel Macron during his three-day visit to the country.

"Landed in Marseille. In India's quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape,” Modi wrote on X after arriving there.

He added, "I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed over to British custody. The bravery of Veer Savarkar continues to inspire generations!”

The Prime Minister received a warm welcome from the Indian diaspora upon his arrival in Marseille.

What’s the connection between Marseille and India’s independence movement?

Marseille holds a significant place in India’s freedom struggle as the site where Veer Savarkar, a key freedom fighter, made a daring escape attempt from British custody.

“Veer Savarkar was arrested in London in 1910 in connection with the Nasik Conspiracy Case. When he was being taken by ship to India for trial, off Marseilles, Savarkar jumped into the sea and swam to the French coast, braving the firing from the ship,” according to the government website amritmahotsav.nic.in.

“He was arrested at Marseilles by the British Police. The French Government protested against this arrest on French soil to the Hague International Court. This brought Veer Savarkar and other Indian freedom fighters to prominence throughout the world,” the website added.

Landed in Marseille. In Indias quest for freedom, this city holds special significance. It was here that the great Veer Savarkar attempted a courageous escape. I also want to thank the people of Marseille and the French activists of that time who demanded that he not be handed

Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) February 11, 2025

PM Modi's France visit

PM Modi was on a three-day visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron. On 10th and 11th February 2025, France and India co-chaired the Artificial Intelligence Action Summit.

This was Prime Minister Modi’s sixth visit to France, and follows President Macron’s visit to India in January 2024 as the chief guest for the 75th Republic Day of India. Prime Minister Modi and President Macron held bilateral discussions on the entire gamut of the exceptionally strong and multifaceted bilateral cooperation and on global and regional matters, according to a joint statement.