Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drain’s recent visit to India is being seen as a strong step in further intensifying bilateral co-operation between the two countries.
It is speculated that the minister’s visit this time around is going to serve as a preparation ground for the visit of French President early next year.
PM Narendra Modi said that he is looking forward to the French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit at his earliest convenience.
During Drain’s India visit, he called on the Indian PM Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj.
The PM appreciated the contribution of Drain to the growing India France relationship in his current role as well as his earlier role as the Defence Minister of France.
“Expressing deep concern over the increasing terrorism in the world, we decided that the two countries have to come together and resolve to remove this evil and we have made an appeal to all the countries of the world that they should collectively protest against all nations who provide sanctuary to terrorism, finance terrorism, and support terrorism,” Swaraj said at a joint press event with the French minister.
Ambassador of France to India Alexandre Ziegler had earlier said the date has not been finalised, but Macron’s visit would coincide with the International Solar Alliance Summit (ISA).
“We have the traditional pillar to our relationship, which is the strategic partnership and defence,” said Ziegler earlier this month.
He further went on to say, “We have to focus on the challenges that we will be facing in coming years. Terrorism is a major threat to both the countries.. But also on cooperation in the Indian Ocean, that is something which, we are also closely working on.”
Earlier, the French President was to travel to India late this year for the meeting of the ISA an initiative that is the brainchild of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
However, the founding ceremony of the ISA, which was to be graced by Macron and Modi on December 8, has been deferred, an official of India’s Ministry of New and Renewable Energy said.
In 2016, the total trade in goods between France and India was worth 8.5 billion euros, with an increase of 0.49 per cent from 2015.
