French Prez, PM Modi agree to ‘act jointly’ in Indo-Pacific amid subs dispute
During the call, Macron reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening India"s strategic autonomy including its industry and technology base, as part of a close relationship based on trust and mutual respect.
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New Delhi, September 22: Amidst Paris' intensifying crisis with Australia over the AUKUS (Australia-UK-US) partnership, French President Emmanuel Macron held a telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reviewed the increasing bilateral collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
During the call, Macron reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening India's strategic autonomy including its industry and technology base, as part of a close relationship based on trust and mutual respect.
Besides, they also discussed the recent developments in Afghanistan and shared their concerns about the possible spread of terrorism, narcotics, illicit weapons, and human trafficking.
Moreover, New Delhi and Paris vowed to act jointly in the Indo-Pacific, to keep the region stable, rules-based, and free of any hegemony. They also agreed to coordinate ahead of multilateral summits such as G20 and COP26.
Macron's telephone conversation with Modi has come at the time when French anger over Australia intensified after the cancellation of a submarine contract in favor of US nuclear submarines as part of an alliance with Washington and the UK appeared undiminished.
Also Read | US-Australia military deal irks France: Paris recalls envoys from US and Australia
Australia, the UK, and the US recently announced a trilateral security pact—AUKUS—wherein Australia will receive technological support from the other two nations to build nuclear-powered submarines. The deal led to the cancelation of a $40 billion French submarine order from Australia in a setback to France.
Australia, the UK, and the US recently announced a trilateral security pact—AUKUS—wherein Australia will receive technological support from the other two nations to build nuclear-powered submarines. The deal led to the cancelation of a $40 billion French submarine order from Australia in a setback to France.
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