France A Key Partner For ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’, Defence Ties Central To Bilateral Relation: PM Modi In Paris
PM Modi also said France and India have always believed that strong actions need to be taken to stop cross-border terrorism, and both countries have agreed to boost cooperation on this front.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi held delegation-level talks with French President Emmanuel Macron on the second day of his official visit to the country on Friday. Addressing a press conference after the meeting at Elysee Palace in Paris, PM Modi said India has taken a resolve to make itself a developed nation and in the journey, France is seen as a natural partner, news agency ANI reported.
“We are celebrating 25 years of our strategic partnership. We are making a roadmap for the next 25 years on the basis of the strong foundation of the previous 25 years. Bold and ambitious goals are being set for this. People of India have taken the resolve to make ourselves a developed nation. We see France as a natural partner in India's developmental journey,” PM Modi said.
#WATCH | PM Narendra Modi says, "...We are celebrating 25 years of our strategic partnership. We are making a roadmap for the next 25 years on the basis of the strong foundation of the previous 25 years. Bold and ambitious goals are being set for this. People of India have taken… pic.twitter.com/GvjYmJ443I
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023
PM Modi said that the defence ties between the two countries have always been the cornerstone of the bilateral relationship.
“Defence ties have always been the basic foundation of our relations. This is a symbol of the deep trust between the two nations. France is an important partner in Make in India and ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’. Be it submarines or Indian Naval ships, together we want to fulfil not just ours but also the requirements of other friendly countries,” he said.
On being conferred with France’s highest honour, the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour, by the French President, PM Modi said, “It is not my honour but the honour of 140 crore people of the country.”
Announcing a deeper engagement between the two countries in the energy sector, PM Modi said, “I welcome the long-term agreement between Indian Oil and France's Total company to export Liquefied natural gas (LNG). It will help in achieving our target of clean energy transition.”
Expressing delight over the successful launch of India’s third lunar mission Chandrayaan-3, PM Modi said, “This is a major achievement of our scientists. In the arena of space technology, India and France have always had an old and deep cooperation. Our space agencies have reached new agreements to take this cooperation forward. We can further enhance our cooperation in areas like space-based Maritime Domain Awareness.”
Announcing the opening of a new Indian Consulate in Marseille, PM Modi said, “We welcome the decision to grant long-term visas to people of Indian origin studying in France. I invite French universities to set up their campuses in India.”
#WATCH | We will open a new Indian Consulate in the city of Marseille. We welcome the decision to grant long-term visas to people of Indian origin studying in France. I invite French universities to set up their campuses in India... Indian athletes are excited to participate in… pic.twitter.com/h1EtW6JNuX
— ANI (@ANI) July 14, 2023
He also informed that the two countries were in talks on launching India's Unified Payment Interface (UPI) in France.
On the global war and terror, PM Modi said France and India have always believed that strong actions need to be taken to stop cross-border terrorism, and both countries have agreed to boost cooperation on this front.
Reiterating India’s willingness to contribute to “lasting peace” in Ukraine, amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, PM Modi said, “We believe that dialogue and diplomacy should be used to resolve all issues.”
He added that the world has been sorely affected by the Covid pandemic and the Ukraine crisis, with the global south countries suffering the most.
Earlier in the day, PM Modi attended the Bastille Day parade as the Guest of Honour. He attended the annual event held to commemorate the fall of Bastille in 1789, at the invitation of the French President.
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