New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid a visit to France on May 4 on his way back from the second India-Nordic Summit in Copenhagen.
In Paris, Prime Minister Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held meetings in one-on-one and delegation-level formats where they discussed a wide range of issues including situation in Ukraine and Afghanistan. The two leaders held discussions on the entire range of bilateral issues, including cooperation in defense, space, blue economy, civil nuclear, and people-to-people ties.
The two leaders also took stock of the regional and global security outlook and discussed ways to work together in making the India- France Strategic Partnership a force for global good.
The Prime Minister’s visit to France “displayed the strong friendship and goodwill not only between the two countries but also between the two leaders”.
Prime Minister Modi invited President Macron to visit India at the earliest opportunity. During the meeting, France reiterated its strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine by Russian Forces.
India and France “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.
On 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, emphasizing respect for its 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. Both the countries also reaffirmed the UNSC Resolution 2593 (2021) and emphasized 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.
