Indian Prime Minister Modi collaborates with Paris on Ukraine plan

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
15 Jul 2023 20:47

France considers India an important partner in achieving a peaceful resolution in Ukraine.

French President Emmanuel Macron, right, listens to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a dinner at the Louvre museum in Paris, Friday, July 14, 2023 (Pascal Rossignol, Pool via AP)

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has directed his officials to collaborate with France in developing a joint plan to resolve the Ukrainian conflict, as per Le Monde. This plan would reportedly differ from those already proposed by other countries, including China and African nations.

France considers India an important partner in achieving a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. The upcoming G20 summit in New Delhi, scheduled for September 9-10, is seen as a crucial opportunity for these efforts.

This comes shortly after France and India signed a 25-year strategic partnership agreement as the two Indo-Pacific countries aim to deepen cooperation, bilateral ties, and economic relations.

The plan was revealed following Modi’s state trip to Paris to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the India-France Strategic Partnership.

In a joint statement, New Delhi and Paris highlighted their historical ties and announced their envisioned relations until 2047, with a special focus on the defense sector, technology, domestic cyber regulations, energy, and safeguarding the current international world order.

France is a "strong, trusted and consistent" ally, Modi said on Thursday, adding that the two nations are at a "turning point" as they complete 25 years of strategic partnership.

The Indian leader stressed that the European countries are key partners in the 'Make in India' and 'Self-Reliant India' initiatives, emphasizing that defense cooperation has always been a solid pillar of the relations between New Delhi and Paris.

"This is a symbol of the deep trust between the two nations… be it submarines or Indian Naval ships, together we want to fulfill not just ours but also the requirements of other friendly countries," he said.

Concluding his visit, Modi described his two-day trip as "memorable".