While India expectedly didn’t join France, a key European and Indo-Pacific partner, in condemning Russia’s aggression after the end of the Modi-Macron meeting in Paris late on 4 May, Indian foreign secretary Vinay Kwatra said there was a clear and broad understanding between the two countries of each other’s position on Ukraine.
The French President is learnt to have briefed PM Modi, the first leader he hosted in Elysee Palace after his re-election, about his latest two-hour long conversation with Putin on 3 May.
“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. They exchanged views on the cascading effects of the situation in Ukraine, in terms of global food shortages, shortages of commodities such as fertilizers and how the two countries can partner together to address some of these challenges,” said Kwatra. The joint statement said both sides were committed to enabling a coordinated, multilateral response to address the risk of aggravated food crisis because of the conflict.
The meeting also focused on the Indo-Pacific and defence cooperation as the two sides discussed co-development and co-production of defence equipment in India. “As seen in the timely delivery of the Rafale despite the pandemic, the two sides enjoy synergy in the field of defence. Taking forward this momentum, and based on their mutual trust, both sides agreed to find creative ways for France’s deeper involvement in the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) efforts in advanced defence technology, manufacturing and exports, including through encouraging increased industry to industry partnerships,” said the joint statement.
Underlining the significance of their “premier” strategic partnerships for advancing peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, the two leaders said India and France shared a vision of a free, open and rules-based Indo-Pacific.
