/FRANCE: Modi Concludes His Visit To France After Extensive Talks With Macron

India Prime Minister Narendra Modi held extensive talks with French President Emmanuel Macron Wednesday night during the final leg of his tour of European capitals.

• Indian Ministry of External Affairs spokesman Arindam Bagchi tweeted: "PM @narendramodi and French President @EmmanuelMacron had a warm and detailed conversation. Agreed on an ambitious agenda for the next phase of the India-France Strategic Partnership."
• According to joint communique released after the summit, the leaders discussed a range of issues including (but not limited to) their strategic cooperation, geopolitics in the Indo-Pacific region, the war in Ukraine, and the situation in Afghanistan.
• India was conspicuously absent from the paragraph on "strong condemnation of the unlawful and unprovoked aggression against Ukraine by Russian Forces" which was "reiterated" by the French side.
• However, Indian Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra told reporters that "there was a broad understanding of each other's positions [regarding the Ukraine situation]. 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."
• Both sides expressed concern about civillian casualties of the Ukraine war and "the current aggravation of global food security and nutrition," pledging to work towards addressing the risk of aggravated food crisis.
• The visit bore symbolic meaning, Modi being one of the first foreign leaders to meet with Macron after his recent re-election.
• See the joint statement released after the Modi-Macron meeting by the Elysee and India's Ministry of External Affairs.