New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi in a telephonic conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives, including defence collaboration projects and cooperation in civil nuclear energy. During the conversation both the leaders discussed important geopolitical challenges, including those related to global food security.
"We discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation under the India-France Strategic Partnership, and other issues of global and regional significance," PM Modi said in a tweet.
A statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) said the two leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth and strength that the India-France Strategic Partnership has acquired in recent years and agreed to continue working closely together to expand the relationship to new areas of cooperation.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also conveyed India’s solidarity with France in dealing with the devastating wildfires during his telephonic conversation with President Macron.
The French presidency said President Macron discussed the Ukraine crisis with PM Modi and the two agreed to work together to try to end the conflict, as per Reuters.
India and France have also been expressing concern about the risk to global food security and nutrition in light of the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, on Monday, Prime Minister Modi expressed that he was touched by Macron's wishes on India's Independence Day 2022.
"India truly cherishes its close relations with France, and their bilateral partnership is for global good," PM Modi had tweeted.