PM Modi, French President Macron Discuss Indo-Pacific Bilateral Collaboration Amid AUKUS Row

The two leaders in the context of Afghanistan, where the Taliban have seized power, shared their concerns about possible spread of terrorism, narcotics, illicit weapons and human trafficking.

File Photo: Getty Images

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday discussed regional issues, including the recent developments in Afghanistan, besides reviewing the increasing bilateral collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders in the context of Afghanistan, where the Taliban have seized power, shared their concerns about possible spread of terrorism, narcotics, illicit weapons and human trafficking.

READ: AUKUS Will Have No Impact On QUAD Functioning, Says India Ahead Of PM Modi-Biden Bilateral Talks

Prime Minister Modi and the French President during their telephonic conversation also stressed the need to ensure human rights, rights of women and minorities.

“They reviewed the increasing bilateral collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region and the important role that the India-France partnership plays in promoting stability and security in the region,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a release.

They also agreed to maintain close and regular consultations in the spirit of the India-France strategic partnership, which both nations deeply cherish.

The talks between the two leaders come at a time when France is dealing with the fallout from Australia’s cancellation of a $40 billion French submarine order.

France had earlier last week recalled its envoys from the United States and Australia after Canberra cancelled its previous nuclear submarine deal with Paris.

Australia had last week said that it would scrap an earlier 2016 deal with France’s Naval Group to build a fleet of conventional submarines and would instead build at least eight nuclear-powered submarines with the U.S. and British technology after striking a trilateral security partnership, Reuters reported.

Expressing disappointment with Australia’s move, France called it a stab in the back.