Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron last night. The two leaders, first held one-on-one meeting which was followed by the delegation-level talks at Chateau de Chantilly, about 50 kms north of Paris.
The two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of the dynamic and multi-faceted bilateral relations during their more than 90-minute long one-on-one meeting. After the delegation level talks, the two countries signed four MoUs.
Addressing a joint press conference with French President, Prime Minister Modi said the relationship between India and France is not based on any selfishness, but on solid ideals of Liberty, Equality and Fraternity. He said, India and France stand firm together to meet the challenges of climate change, environment, and technology inclusive development.
He said India and France will expand cooperation in counter terrorism and security. Both leaders reaffirmed that terrorism cannot be justified on any grounds whatsoever and it should not be associated with any religion, creed, nationality and ethnicity. Both leaders also agreed to work for early convening of the Global Conference, proposed by India, to tackle the threat of terrorism around the world.
The two leaders also agreed to enhance their cooperation and launch fresh efforts to prevent and fight radicalisation, especially online radicalisation. Identifying defence industrial cooperation as one of the mainstays of the strategic partnership between India and France, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in this field.
The French President said that India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally and no third party should interfere or incite violence in the region. He said France will deliver first of the 36 Rafal fighter jets to India next month. Earlier, Prime Minister Modi was accorded a red carpet welcome on his arrival in Paris. He was received at the airport by French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean Yves Le Drian.
From France, Mr. Modi will travel to the United Arab Emirates where he will receive the ‘Order of Zayed’, the highest civilian decoration conferred by the UAE Government. He will hold talks with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan and also formally launch RuPay card to expand the network of cashless transactions abroad.
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