After a series of Islamic terror attacks in France, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi called on French President Immanuel Macron on Monday (December 7) and discussed several issues ranging from COVID to maritime security and radical Islamic terrorism.
During the phone call Modi said, “India’s full support to France in the fight against terrorism, extremism and radicalism”. He also conveyed his condolences for the terror attacks in the French cities of Paris, Conflans-Sainte-Honorine and Nice.
The Islamist terror attacks in the aftermath of controversy arising over controversial cartoons of the Prophet Muhammad led to the murder of four French citizens.
After the conversation, PM Modi tweeted “Spoke with my friend @EmmanuelMacron on the challenges and opportunities presented by the post-COVID world. India stands by France in its fight against terrorism & extremism. The India-France partnership is a force for good in the world, including in the Indo-Pacific.”
But the real discussion between the two leaders was on the the sensitive subject of affordability and accessibility of COVID-19 vaccines and economic recovery post the pandemic.
They also discussed the Indo-Pacific region, maritime security and defence cooperation as France is a key weapons supplier to India.
The Indian govt release said, “The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth and strength that the India-France Strategic Partnership has acquired in recent years and agreed to continue working closely together in the post-COVID era.”
The press release further stated, “The leaders also discussed other bilateral, regional and global issues of mutual interest, including improving the affordability and accessibility of COVID-19 vaccines, post-covid economic recovery, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific region, maritime security, defence cooperation, digital economy and cyber security, strengthening multilateralism, and climate change & biodiversity.”