New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron on Wednesday discussed the Ukraine conflict and also spoke on the cascading effect of the situation in terms of global food shortages, and shortages of commodities such as fertilizers.
Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said both the leaders also discussed how the two countries can partner together to address these challenges.
He said that there was a broad understanding of each other’s position on the Ukraine conflict.
“The two leaders agreed that close coordination and engagement was important so that both India and France can play a constructive role in the evolving situation,” the Foreign Secretary said.
He said India and France have a strong defence partnership which is defined not just by trade in different platforms.
“This is very much in sync with our own domestic policy of ‘Aatmanirbharta’, which extends strongly in the field of defence,” he said in reference to Rafale aircraft being procured by India.
He further said both PM Modi and President Macron held wide-range discussions on all the key areas of bilateral engagement, including defence, space, civil nuclear cooperation and people to people linkages.
“India and France see each other as key partners in the Indo-Pacific as well,” he said:
“India and France are strong strategic partners. President Macron renewed mandate and the conversation between the two leaders allows us to build on the existing strength and success of the India-France strategic partnership,” he said.
Kwatra said, External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar also met his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian.
Prime Minister Modi has invited the French President to visit India at the earliest possible opportunity.
