Pakyong, April 8: French Ambassador to India Thierry Mathou arrived in Sikkim on Tuesday for a four-day official visit aimed at strengthening cultural, diplomatic, and tourism ties between France and the Himalayan state. The visit, scheduled from April 8 to 12, is expected to feature a series of engagements focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and promoting cultural exchange.
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| French Ambassador Thierry Mathou receives a traditional welcome during his official visit to Sikkim as part of efforts to strengthen cultural and diplomatic ties between France and India. (Image: DIO Pakyong) |
The Ambassador is accompanied by his spouse, Cécil Mathou, during the official visit. Upon his arrival at the Rangpo Tourist Facilitation Centre (TFC), the French envoy received a traditional welcome from officials of the Sikkim Government. He was welcomed by Sujata Subba, Sameer Pradhan, and Sushma Pradhan, along with officers and staff of the Rangpo Tourism Information Centre (TIC).
According to officials, the visit forms part of ongoing efforts to deepen the long-standing friendship between France and India, while also exploring new avenues of cooperation with Sikkim. During his stay, Ambassador Mathou is expected to participate in several programmes showcasing the state's rich cultural heritage, natural beauty, and tourism potential.
The official itinerary includes interactions with government representatives, tourism stakeholders, and cultural organisations. The engagements are expected to promote greater understanding between the people of France and Sikkim while encouraging collaboration in areas such as sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, education, and people-to-people exchanges.
Officials said the visit also provides an opportunity to highlight Sikkim's growing reputation as a destination for eco-tourism, adventure tourism, and cultural experiences. By strengthening international partnerships, the state hopes to attract more visitors from Europe while fostering greater cultural appreciation and economic cooperation.
The Ambassador's visit is expected to further reinforce diplomatic engagement between France and India at the regional level and open new opportunities for collaboration in tourism, culture, and other sectors of mutual interest.
Officials expressed confidence that the visit would contribute to expanding bilateral relations and enhancing Sikkim's visibility on the international stage, while strengthening the enduring friendship between France and India through meaningful cultural and diplomatic exchanges.
