Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in the last leg of his three-nation Europe tour, met French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday (local time) in Paris. The meeting between “two friends” saw exchange of views on various issues that ranged from Indo-Pacific to Ukraine, Afghanistan, trade and defence cooperation. While reiterating strong condemnation of “the unlawful and unprovoked” aggression against Ukraine by Russian forces, President Macron concurred with PM Modi on the need for Russia and Ukraine to promote dialogue and diplomacy to find an immediate end to the suffering of the people. President Macron and PM Modi expressed serious concerns at the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis resulting from the conflict in Ukraine. PM Modi, who was on a trip to Germany and Denmark, made a brief stopover to meet Macron in Paris on his way back to New Delhi.
Sources told The Daily Guardian that PM Modi pointed out that the focus should be on an immediate ceasefire and on promoting direct talks between the Presidents of the countries in conflict. PM Modi, according to sources, suggested to Macron that “this is the only way to end human suffering and stop civilian deaths in Ukraine.” Sources told The Daily Guardian that the Indo-Pacific strategy was discussed elaborately between the two leaders in the context of the growing Chinese challenges in the region. Macron and the PM stressed the need to check any forces (Beijing) which are involved in activities in violation of the relevant laws, sources added.
“We discussed different ongoing international crises as well as our strategic partnership. We also talked about food security issues and farm initiatives in which India will play a key role,” said French President Emmanuel Macron. The joint statement which was released after the bilateral talks said, “France reiterates its strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine by Russian Forces.”
But it also said, “India and
France expressed serious concern at the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. They unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to bring parties together to promote dialogue and diplomacy to find an immediate end to the suffering of the people. Both countries underlined the need to respect the UN Charter, international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states. The two leaders discussed the regional and global implications of the conflict in Ukraine and agreed to intensify coordination on the issue.”
The Joint Statement further said that India and France express “deep concern about the current aggravation of global food security and nutrition, already impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and especially in developing countries They are committed to enabling a coordinated, multilateral response to address the risk of aggravated food crisis because of the conflict in Ukraine, including through initiatives such as the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM), which aims at ensuring well-functioning markets, solidarity and long-term resilience”.
INDO-PACIFIC
On the Indo-Pacific, the joint statement said that India and France have “built one of the premier strategic partnerships for advancing peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. They share a vision of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific region, based on the commitment to international law, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, freedom of navigation and a region free from coercion, tensions and conflicts.” It added that the Indo-France Indo-Pacific partnership encompasses defence and security, trade, investment, connectivity, health, and sustainability. Besides bilateral cooperation, India and France will continue to develop new partnerships in various formats with like-minded countries in the region and within regional organisations, it said. India and France also reaffirmed their commitment to deepen India-EU Strategic Partnership.
AFGHANISTAN
PM Modi and President Macron also discussed the situation in Afghanistan, expressing serious concern on the humanitarian situation and violation of human rights there. “India and France reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan, emphasizing respect for its sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs. They called for an inclusive and representative government, and respect for the rights of women, children and minorities. They also reaffirmed the UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) and emphasised on zero tolerance for the use of Afghan territory for spreading terrorism in other parts of the world, and agreed to work together in this regard, including at the UN Security Council.”
DEFENCE COOPERATION
On defence cooperation, the joint statement said, “New Delhi and Paris welcomed the ongoing intense cooperation across all defence domains. Joint exercises (Shakti, Varuna, Pegase, Desert Knight, Garuda) illustrate efforts towards better integration and interoperability wherever possible. Meanwhile, maritime cooperation between India and France has reached new levels of trust and will continue through exercises, exchanges and joint endeavours throughout the Indian Ocean.”
AATMANIRBHAR BHARAT
India and France underscored that the “long-standing armament cooperation is testimony to the mutual trust between the two sides. The six Scorpene submarines built at MDL in Mumbai illustrate the level of transfer of technology from France to India, in line with the Make in India initiative.”
“As seen in the timely delivery of the Rafale despite the pandemic, the two sides enjoy synergy in the field of defence. Taking forward this momentum, and based on their mutual trust, both sides agreed to find creative ways for France’s deeper involvement in the ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ (Self-reliant India) efforts in advanced defence technology, manufacturing and exports, including through encouraging increased industry to industry partnerships,”, the joint statement said.
