Prime Minister Narendra Modi held telephonic talks with French President Emmanuel Macron and reviewed the bilateral collaboration in Indo-Pacific region. The two leaders also had a discussion in regards to Afghanistan.
The Prime Minsiter’s Office said that the two leaders held a discussion on the important role that India-France partnership plays in promoting stability, security in the region. The leaders agreed to maintain regular consultations, in the spirit of India-France Strategic Partnership, the PMO said.
The leaders agreed to maintain close and regular consultations, in the spirit of the India-France Strategic Partnership, which both countries cherish deeply.
PM Modi and President Macron discussed regional issues including recent developments in Afghanistan and concerns about possible spread of terrorism, narcotics, illicit weapons and human trafficking, as well as the need to ensure human rights, rights of women and minorities.
Meanwhile, a Reuters report also stated that as France deals with the fallout from Australia’s cancellation of a $40 billion French submarine order, President Macron and PM Modi held talks on co-operating over the Indo-Pacific region.
Notably, PM Modi’s talks with Macron comes just days before the Indian prime minister’s scheduled meeting with US President Joe Biden and other QUAD leaders.
PM Modi and Biden are expected to bolster bilateral ties in trade, investment and defence in their in-person talks in Washington on September 24.
PM Modi would also be participating in the first-ever in-person Quad Leaders Summit and also address the United Nations General Assembly in New York.
Notably, France has raised strong reservations after Australia on September 16, 2021 announced that it planned to acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines from the US and the UK. Unhappy with the submarine deal, the Macron administration recalled its Ambassadors to the US and Australia.
In 2016, Australia signed a 56-billion-euro contract with France for the purchase of 12 conventional diesel-electric submarines.
