India has said both France and Russia are important and you can't compare both as they are close partners for New Delhi

Well placed sources said, "India's strategic partnership with France has its own merits, both are important and special in their own way."

Explaining, "Comparison is not useful just as you cannot compare French&nbsp;champagne&nbsp;with Russian vodka."

The development came after a question was asked to French Emmanuel Lenain at a virtual meeting of ORF in Delhi that has France replaced Russia as India's new best friend. French envoy was quick to reply that, "being Russia in India is quite a compliment." Sources appreciated the sentiments expressed by the French envoy.

France with a veto at UNSC, growing defence partnership and increased political ties have&nbsp;led to some suggesting that Paris could be the new Moscow for Delhi. The support India got from the erstwhile Soviet Union and later Russia has been something that has become part of a legend in India.&nbsp;

During the cold war, the Soviet Union had backed India at various international forums when cornered and while India retains Russian support, increasingly France has been backing India on issues such as the listing of Masood Azhar at UN or when attempts have been made to rake up Kashmir.&nbsp;

Indian PM Modi shares a close and warm relationship with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Macron and has been engaging with them frequently on a number of issues including the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.&nbsp; 
&nbsp;

India has said both France and Russia are important and you can't compare both as they are close partners for New Delhi Well placed sources said, "India's strategic partnership with France has its own merits, both are important and special in their own way.

India has said both France and Russia are important and you can't compare both as they are close partners for New Delhi Well placed sources said, "India's strategic partnership with France has its own merits, both are important and special in their own way." Explaining, "Comparison is not useful just as you cannot compare French champagne with Russian vodka." The development came after a question was asked to French Emmanuel Lenain at a virtual meeting of ORF in Delhi that has France replaced Russia as India's new best friend. French envoy was quick to reply that, "being Russia in India is quite a compliment." Sources appreciated the sentiments expressed by the French envoy. France with a veto at UNSC, growing defence partnership and increased political ties have led to some suggesting that Paris could be the new Moscow for Delhi. The support India got from the erstwhile Soviet Union and later Russia has been something that has become part of a legend in India. During the cold war, the Soviet Union had backed India at various international forums when cornered and while India retains Russian support, increasingly France has been backing India on issues such as the listing of Masood Azhar at UN or when attempts have been made to rake up Kashmir. Indian PM Modi shares a close and warm relationship with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Macron and has been engaging with them frequently on a number of issues including the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

Has France replaced Russia as India's best friend? New Delhi says both are important

French envoy Emmanuel Lenain has lauded India-French ties and has said both countries are in all-weather partnership. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Lenain said more pressure should be put on Pakistan so that it full fills its commitments.

WION: How do see the India-French ties?

Emmanuel Lenain: Relations are excellent. For years, we have a great level of trust, we have an all-weather partnership in good and bad times. This partnership has been embodied at the personal level between PM Modi and French President Marcon. You have seen great alchemy during PM Modi's France visit. We are going to take it further by reaching out to new sectors which are key to the development of our two countries like cyber, artificial intelligence and want to project in wider regional dimensions. The idea of Indo-Pacific that goes from maritime security to connectivity.&nbsp;

WION: Are you hopeful that Pakistan will fulfil its FATF commitments?

Emmanuel Lenain: My country and India have been a victim of terrorism. Financing is a key aspect in the fight against terrorism that is why France with like-minded countries decided to launch an initiative called "no money for terror".

India will host the next summit. Regarding FATF, my country and all countries decided in November that pressure should be exerted and Pakistan should meet its obligations and we have to review it&nbsp;in February and we shall see then.

WION: You have issued advisory regarding protest in the aftermath of passage of citizenship amendment bill. Some countries have made remarks, your take...

Emmanuel Lenain: I don't think it is apt for France to have a say in the domestic matter in India. India is a democracy and it has a rule of law. As I understand, when there are conflicting views on law, and when people challenge certain aspects and it is&nbsp;against the constitution, you can challenge it in front of the Supreme Court. It's not for any country to criticise. Obviously, we attach great importance to freedom of religious belief, however, it is a domestic issue.

WION: Are you hopefull EU-India FTA talks will resume next year?

Emmanuel Lenain: I hope our discussions can resume and we need to aim at an ambitious agreement otherwise there is no use to re-launch negotiations. Ambitious I mean, sectors should be covered. Ambitious regarding climate and environment.

French envoy Emmanuel Lenain has lauded India-French ties and has said both countries are in all-weather partnership. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Lenain said more pressure should be put on Pakistan so that it full fills its commitments.

French envoy Emmanuel Lenain has lauded India-French ties and has said both countries are in all-weather partnership. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, Lenain said more pressure should be put on Pakistan so that it full fills its commitments. WION: How do see the India-French ties? Emmanuel Lenain: Relations are excellent. For years, we have a great level of trust, we have an all-weather partnership in good and bad times. This partnership has been embodied at the personal level between PM Modi and French President Marcon. You have seen great alchemy during PM Modi's France visit. We are going to take it further by reaching out to new sectors which are key to the development of our two countries like cyber, artificial intelligence and want to project in wider regional dimensions. The idea of Indo-Pacific that goes from maritime security to connectivity. WION: Are you hopeful that Pakistan will fulfil its FATF commitments? Emmanuel Lenain: My country and India have been a victim of terrorism. Financing is a key aspect in the fight against terrorism that is why France with like-minded countries decided to launch an initiative called "no money for terror". India will host the next summit. Regarding FATF, my country and all countries decided in November that pressure should be exerted and Pakistan should meet its obligations and we have to review it in February and we shall see then. WION: You have issued advisory regarding protest in the aftermath of passage of citizenship amendment bill. Some countries have made remarks, your take... Emmanuel Lenain: I don't think it is apt for France to have a say in the domestic matter in India. India is a democracy and it has a rule of law. As I understand, when there are conflicting views on law, and when people challenge certain aspects and it is against the constitution, you can challenge it in front of the Supreme Court. It's not for any country to criticise. Obviously, we attach great importance to freedom of religious belief, however, it is a domestic issue. WION: Are you hopefull EU-India FTA talks will resume next year? Emmanuel Lenain: I hope our discussions can resume and we need to aim at an ambitious agreement otherwise there is no use to re-launch negotiations. Ambitious I mean, sectors should be covered. Ambitious regarding climate and environment.

Pakistan needs to fulfill FATF commitment: French Envoy Emmanuel Lenain

PM Modi's meeting with French President Macron is a major diplomatic victory. France echoed India's stance on Kashmir issue, rooted for India's involvement in G7, promised to deliver the first Rafale jet next moment and demonstrated interest to take the bilateral ties to the next level.

WION Gravitas: Key takeaways from Modi-Macron meeting

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Has France replaced Russia as India's best friend? New Delhi says both are important

Pakistan needs to fulfill FATF commitment: French Envoy Emmanuel Lenain

WION Gravitas: Key takeaways from Modi-Macron meeting