India, Aug. 24 -- French President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to Paris on Sunday for a two-day visit that opened at an esports tournament and moves on Monday into weightier discussions on regional security, energy and defence, in a trip that comes as Riyadh signals a broader shift away from relying solely on Washington for its protection.

The visit, running from 23 to 24 August, will culminate in the first meeting of the Franco-Saudi Strategic Partnership Council, alongside the signing of agreements covering health, transport and energy, according to a French presidential official. The Elysee said the two leaders would use the visit to pursue close coordination between France and its Gulf partners to ...