Climate change, defence and Kashmir in the spotlight as Modi meets Macron ahead of G7 summit
PM Modi meets Macron in Paris
By Sidhant Sibal/Anshu Dubey/Akash Rai
Climate change, cybersecurity, defence, space cooperation and Kashmir were in the spotlight as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French PresidentEmmanuel Macron on Thursdaymet for the fifth time ahead of G7 Summit in Biarritz.
" Our friendship rests not on selfishness, but on solid ideals of 'Liberty,Equality, and Fraternity'. This is the reason why India and France have stood shoulder to shoulder to protect freedom and democracy," Modi said.
Both Modi and Macron also announced Rafalefighterjets delivery timeline -- September -- on the occasion.
PM Modi praised Paris's support to deal with cross border terror. In his response, the French president while mentioning Pulwama attack said, "will work together to eradicate the scourge (terrorism)".
On Kashmir, Macron said India and Pakistan should resolve the issue bilaterally and ruled out third party mediation.
Macron said that he will tell Pakistani PM Imran Khan, "They (India and Pakistan) have to solve issue bilaterally and stability in the region should be maintained and no terror activities should happen"
"By the end of this year we want to take the project ahead," Macron said about Jaitapurnuclear power plant.
Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi began his state visit to France on Thursday. Modi will also participate in 45th G7 summit inBiarritz on 25th and 26th August.
On India's participation at G7, Macron said, "It is a priority for us to talk about climate change and we will talk about it even during G7 meet. India has beenvery supportive and we need to go ahead with all other nations, to stop carbon emission and protect the environment."
PM arrived in Paris on Thursday. He will meet French Prime Minister of Franch Édouard Philippe today morning.
Modi will alsoaddress theIndian diaspora at the UNESCO Headquarters.