‘Defence, House, Civil Nuclear Power’: PM Modi, Macron’s Excessive-Degree Talks Aboard Presidential Aircraft
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron held part of their bilateral discussions aboard the French presidential plane whereas touring from Paris to Marseille, International Secretary Vikram Misri mentioned. He described it as “an distinctive gesture by President Macron,” reflecting ‘deep private belief’ and ‘exceptional confidence’ between the 2 leaders.
“You possibly can say India-France ties actually touched new heights,” Misri mentioned.
The 2 leaders mentioned key geopolitical developments in Europe, West Asia, and the Indo-Pacific, together with world and regional points, Misri knowledgeable whereas briefing the media in France.
Earlier on Tuesday, Modi and Macron co-chaired the AI Motion Summit in Paris, attended the India-France CEO’s Discussion board, and later flew to Marseille collectively. Whereas some discussions passed off onboard the flight, others continued after their arrival within the French port metropolis.
“The dialogue lined a whole gamut of our deep and various strategic partnership,” Misri mentioned, including that bilateral cooperation in defence, house, civil nuclear vitality, well being, and people-to-people ties was reviewed. Synthetic Intelligence (AI) was a “main space” of debate between the 2 sides, he famous.
On trilateral cooperation, Misri mentioned, “To have a look at delivering the mission in the entire host of the realm in third international locations. Monetary assist, tech assist. Alternative of mission pushed by host nation. We really feel it is very important present decisions to international locations with regard to growth.”
Talking in regards to the Letter of Intent on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Superior Modular Reactors (AMRs), he highlighted progress in India-France cooperation in nuclear vitality.
“We have been discussing, for example, cooperation within the Jaitapur nuclear energy mission for a while. It has a number of features associated to know-how, finance, additionally to points associated to civil legal responsibility,” Misri mentioned.
Whereas SMRs and AMRs have emerged as newer areas of engagement, their progress has been swift. “The concept on this specific entrance is to start out cooperation as a result of it is a know-how that’s nonetheless in its preliminary levels, even in international locations which have been engaged on it for a while,” he mentioned.
India and France purpose to collaborate on co-designing, co-developing, and co-producing these reactors. “We really feel this can enable us to sort out problems confronted in different standard initiatives,” Misri added.
Earlier on Wednesday, Modi and his French counterpart inaugurated the Indian Consulate, in Marseille, France. The Prime Minister mentioned in a submit on ‘X’, “A historic second in Marseille! The President @EmmanuelMacron and I inaugurated the Indian Consulate on this vibrant metropolis, marking a brand new chapter in India-France relations. This Consulate will function an important bridge to strengthen our cultural, financial and human ties. The hyperlinks between Marseille and India are well-known.”
On the historic relevance of the town, PM addded, “Through the First World Struggle, this metropolis was an necessary base for Indian troops. It’s also intently linked to Veer Savarkar. On the event of this particular inauguration, I thank the French Authorities and congratulate the Indian diaspora.”
