PM Narendra Modi with French President Emmanuel Macron
India and France have agreed to “work jointly” in the Indo-Pacific to keep the region stable, rules-based and free from any hegemony, the French presidential office said on Tuesday, after Emmanuel Macron called Prime Minister Telephone conversation with Narendra Modi. Paris’s strong criticism of the AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) partnership.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office here, Modi and Macron reviewed the growing bilateral cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and the important role of the Indo-French partnership in promoting stability and security in the region.
After talks with Macron, Modi tweeted, “Spoke to my friend President Emmanuel Macron on the situation in Afghanistan. We also discussed the close cooperation between India and France in the Indo-Pacific.”
“We attach great importance to our strategic partnership with France, including the UNSC,” Modi said.
The French President’s Office also issued a statement on the Modi-Macron talks, which was tweeted by French Ambassador to India Emmanuel Lenin.
“They reaffirmed their shared commitment to work jointly in an open and inclusive Indo-Pacific, including in Europe-India relations and the European Initiative in the Indo-Pacific. This approach aims to promote regional stability and the rule of law. is to promote. Prevent any form of hegemony,” the French president’s office said.
Meanwhile, in response to a question, Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan Shringla said that AUKUS is neither relevant to the Quad nor will there be any impact on its functioning, and they are not groups of a similar nature, India’s first on the controversial alliance. in response.
Shringla said the AUCs is a security alliance between the three countries, while the Quad is a multilateral grouping with a vision of a free, open, transparent and inclusive Indo-Pacific.
“The Ox is a security alliance between three countries. We are not a party to this alliance. From our point of view, it is neither relevant to the Quad nor will it have any impact on its functioning,” Shringla told a media briefing.
The telephonic conversation between Modi and Macron comes days after the launch of a historic security partnership called ‘Ocus’, which aims to provide deeper cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region and ensure greater sharing of defense capabilities within the trilateral alliance. Is.
France has recalled its ambassadors to the United States and Australia in protest of the tripartite security alliance.
France effectively lost a multi-billion dollar deal to build 12 conventional submarines for Australia as a result of the alliance. France is also upset with its boycott from the alliance.
Modi and Macron also discussed regional issues, including the recent developments in Afghanistan, the PMO statement said.
“In this context, they shared their concerns about the potential spread of terrorism, narcotics, illegal arms and human trafficking, as well as the need to ensure human rights, the rights of women and minorities,” the PMO said.
The two leaders agreed to continue close and regular consultations in the spirit of the India-French Strategic Partnership, which both countries deeply cherish, the statement said.
The French statement said Macron and Modi expressed their serious concerns about the situation in Afghanistan.
It said officials in power should end their links to international terrorism, allow humanitarian organizations to operate throughout the country, and respect the fundamental rights of Afghan women and men. The evacuation operation should continue without any interruption.
It said Macron reiterated France’s commitment to contribute to the strengthening of India’s strategic autonomy, including its industrial and technological base, as part of a close relationship based on mutual trust and respect between the two strategic partners.
It said that bilateral cooperation in all areas, especially in the economic sector, would be promoted.
The two leaders vowed to maintain regular discussions to coordinate upcoming events, particularly the G20 and COP26 on climate change, and to continue their joint action against the pandemic.
The French President said that President Macron welcomed India’s decision to resume vaccine distribution under COVAX.
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