Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday, with both leaders discussing efforts for the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. They also reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the India-France strategic partnership.
“Had a very good conversation with my friend President Macron. Exchanged views on efforts for the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Ukraine and in West Asia. Reaffirmed our commitment to further strengthen the India-France strategic partnership,” PM Modi posted on X after the meeting.
According to the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), Macron shared his assessment of the recent meetings held between European, US and Ukrainian leaders in Washington.
He also gave his perspective on the situation in Gaza and expressed support for the early conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union.
“Prime Minister Modi reiterated India’s consistent support for the peaceful resolution of the conflicts and early restoration of peace and stability. The leaders also reviewed progress in the bilateral cooperation agenda, including in the areas of trade, defence, civil nuclear cooperation, technology and energy. They reaffirmed their joint commitment to strengthen the India-France Strategic Partnership and mark 2026 as ‘Year of Innovation’ in a befitting manner,” the PMO said in a statement.
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Several European leaders, including Macron, met US President Donald Trump at the White House on Monday alongside Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
The talks followed Trump’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska last week. Among the other European leaders present were UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte.
Earlier on 15 February, Macron extended greetings to PM Modi and the people of India on the country’s 79th Independence Day, expressing hope that the strategic partnership between the two nations would continue to deepen towards 2047 and beyond.
“Warm congratulations to the people of India on your 79th Independence Day! I fondly recall welcoming my friend Narendra Modi to France in February, and look forward to deepening our strategic partnership towards 2047 and beyond,” Macron posted on X.
Last month, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-Noel Barrot emphasised that France and India are “united by trust and driven by shared ambition”.
“Thank you, dear S Jaishankar. France and India are united by trust and driven by shared ambition. Let’s keep building our strategic partnership!” Barrot wrote, thanking External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar for his greetings to the French government and the people of France on the country’s National Day on July 14.
EAM Jaishankar was in Paris in June, just months after Prime Minister Modi’s landmark visit to France for the Artificial Intelligence (AI) Action Summit.
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