PM Modi-Macron Meet: India & France Express Serious Concerns Over Ukraine, Global Food Security & Afghanistan

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France displayed the "strong friendship and goodwill not only between the two countries but also between the two leaders."

PM Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron, at Elysee Palace, in Paris on May 4, 2022.

Source : PIB

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday held talks with newly re-elected French President Emmanuel Macron where both the leaders discussed a range of bilateral issues including defence, space, civil nuclear cooperation, and people-to-people linkages along with regional and global issues. Addressing a press briefing, Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said that the two leaders who are also good friends held "extensive discussions on a range of issues of bilateral, regional and global importance." 

 The talks were held at Elysee Palace, the official residence of the President of France, in Paris.

"The two leaders held wide-ranging discussions on all the key areas of bilateral engagement, including in defence, space, civil nuclear cooperation, and people-to-people linkages. They also discussed regional and global issues, including developments in Europe and the Indo-pacific," the Foreign Secretary informed, as quoted by news agency ANI.

My visit to France was brief but a very fruitful one. President @EmmanuelMacron and I got the opportunity to discuss various subjects. I thank him and the French Government for the warm hospitality. pic.twitter.com/pJCCvpvjao

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) May 4, 2022

Kwatra noted that this was the first visit of PM Modi to France since August 2019 and added: "The two leaders have stayed in regular touch through calls and letters. They also met on the sidelines of the G20 summits last year. India and France are strong strategic partners. The two leaders are also good friends."

As per the Ministry of External Affairs, Prime Minister Modi’s visit to France displayed the "strong friendship and goodwill not only between the two countries but also between the two leaders."

Tonight, with @NarendraModi, we discussed the different ongoing international crises as well as our strategic partnership. We also talked about food security issues and the FARM initiative, in which India will play a key role. pic.twitter.com/KPOv1P6NZu

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) May 4, 2022

India & France Express Serious Concern On Conflict In Ukraine, Global Food Security & Afghanistan

India and France have expressed serious concern about the ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis in Ukraine. "They unequivocally condemned civilian deaths in Ukraine and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities to bring parties together to promote dialogue and diplomacy to find an immediate end to the suffering of the people. Both countries underlined the need to respect UN Charter, international law and the sovereignty and territorial integrity of states," the statement informed. 

The two leaders discussed the regional and global implications of the conflict in Ukraine and agreed to intensify coordination on the issue.

Both the nations also noted the current aggravation of global food security and nutrition, already impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic, and especially in developing countries. "They are committed to enabling a coordinated, multilateral response to address the risk of aggravated food crisis because of the conflict in Ukraine, including through initiatives such as the Food and Agriculture Resilience Mission (FARM), which aims at ensuring well-functioning markets, solidarity and long-term resilience," the Ministry of External Affairs stated.

As for Afghanistan, India and France expressed serious concern about the humanitarian situation and violation of human rights and reiterated strong support for a peaceful, secure and stable Afghanistan.

The countries emphasised respect for Afghanistan's sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity and non-interference in its internal affairs. "They called for an inclusive and representative government, and respect for the rights of women, children and minorities. They also reaffirmed the UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) and emphasised on zero tolerance for the use of Afghan territory for spreading terrorism in other parts of the world, and agreed to work together in this regard, including at the UN Security Council," the MEA statement mentioned.

India and France have also reaffirmed to take forward their "great tradition of over 60 years" of technical and scientific space cooperation and efforts towards climate, clean rnergy and sustainable development.

On the sidelines, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar also met his French counterpart, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian during PM Modi's visit.

After the talks, the French President also hosted a dinner for his Indian counterpart.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France on Wednesday on the final leg of his three-day Europe visit. In a tweet after his arrival in Paris, PM Modi wrote that France was one of India's strongest partners with both nations cooperating in diverse areas.

Meanwhile, as per MEA, PM Modi invited President Macron to visit India at his earliest convenience to hold detailed discussions on the areas of cooperation outlined during the visit.

PM Modi left for home on Thursday after concluding his three-nation European tour which included engagements in Germany and Denmark.