PM Modi, French Prez Macron hold bilateral talks; pledge to boost defence and civil nuclear cooperation
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held a bilateral meeting on Sunday on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in New Delhi.
The two leaders discussed a range of issues, including the global and regional situation, the progress of the India-France strategic partnership, and ways to strengthen defence cooperation.
They reviewed the progress made since their last meeting in July 2023 in Paris and agreed to further deepen the India-France relationship.
Both leaders expressed their commitment to working together to address common challenges, including the situation in Ukraine and the security situation in the Indo-Pacific region.
“A very productive lunch meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron. We discussed a series of topics and look forward to ensuring India-France relations scale new heights of progress,” PM Modi posted on X, (formerly Twitter). The two leaders met over lunch.
A very productive lunch meeting with President @EmmanuelMacron. We discussed a series of topics and look forward to ensuring India-France relations scale new heights of progress. pic.twitter.com/JDugC3995N
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) September 10, 2023
They agreed to strengthen cooperation in defense manufacturing, joint exercises, and training.
They also discussed ways to boost cooperation in the areas of climate change, sustainable development, and space.
The meeting was a sign of the strong and growing India-France strategic partnership.
The two countries are committed to working together to address common challenges and promote peace and stability in the world.
India and France welcomed the African Union's membership to the G20 and said they would work with the AU to promote progress, prosperity, and development in Africa.
The two countries said they would work with the AU on economic development, peace and security, climate change, and health.
President Macron congratulated Prime Minister Modi on India's successful Chandrayaan 3 mission to the moon.
They recalled six decades of India-France space cooperation and examined the progress of the first Strategic Space Dialogue started in June 2023.
In the context of strong Indo-French civil nuclear ties, they noted good progress in discussions for the Jaitapur nuclear plant project.
France also reiterated its steadfast and unwavering support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group.
