PM Modi and French President Macron agree on increasing bilateral cooperation between India and France

Paris – India and France have agreed to enhance cooperation in the fight against global climate change, defence, nuclear energy, maritime economics and enhancing people-to-people contacts between the two countries. The announcement came after a bilateral meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders also agreed to end the war in Ukraine immediately. However, like the United States and other European countries, France refrained from “advising” India on its relations with Russia. This underlines the importance of strategic cooperation between the two countries.

Prime Minister Modi visited France, the last leg of his European tour. During the visit, some issues were raised, highlighting the importance of a strategic partnership between the two countries. France supports India’s permanent membership in the UN Security Council and its membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group. France has also said that its partnership with India in the face of global climate change is stronger than ever. At the same time, it is clear from the joint statement of the two leaders that France attaches great importance to its cooperation with India on the economic frontiers related to nuclear energy, defence, space and maritime sectors.

The importance of stability and security in the Indo-Pacific region in the joint statement of Prime Minister Modi and President Macron is significant. China’s hegemonic policies have threatened French interests in the area. With Australia withdrawing submarine contracts from France and handing them over to the United States, France’s relations with these countries also are not good. In such a scenario, France seems to attach more importance to cooperation with India, an important country in the Indo-Pacific region. This is reflected in the bilateral talks between French President Macron and Prime Minister Modi.

The French President had held several talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the war in Ukraine. France disagrees with the policies adopted by the US and NATO regarding Russia. The French President had criticized the US and NATO over this. In such a scenario, France’s cooperation with Russia’s ally India is becoming important. In bilateral talks, it has come to the fore that the French position on Ukraine is very similar to India. This seems to have strengthened the strategic partnership between the two countries. A joint statement issued by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President Macron called for an immediate end to the war in Ukraine.

During Modi’s visit, it was also announced that France would support India’s plan for self-reliance in sensitive and important areas. The statement clarified, ‘The use of Afghanistan to spread terrorism in other countries will not be tolerated’. Meanwhile, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has said that Prime Minister Modi’s visit to Europe was a great success. This will further strengthen India’s ties with European countries, he said. When the interests of European countries are being threatened by China’s hegemonic policies, India’s cooperation with European countries could prove to be strategically and economically decisive. In particular, analysts say that India’s strategic partnership with France, which currently leads the European Union, opens the doors of Europe to India.