Defence, AI, Ukraine: PM Modi holds talks with Macron, Sunak, Meloni, Kishida

G7 Summit | India takes responsibility to put concerns of Global South on world stage, says PM Modi

In their meetings, the two leaders congratulated Modi for his win in the Lok Sabha elections. The Ministry of External Affairs said that the Prime Minister “thanked President Macron for his warm wishes on assuming office for the third consecutive term”, and “PM Sunak congratulated PM on his historic third consecutive term”.

“Modi extended his best wishes to the people of the United Kingdom as they prepare for general elections next month,” the MEA statement said.

In a post on X, Modi said he had “an excellent meeting” with “my friend President” Macron.

“This is our fourth meeting in one year, indicating the priority we accord to strong India-French ties. Our talks covered numerous subjects such as defence, security, technology, AI, Blue Economy and more. We also discussed how to encourage innovation and research among the youth. I conveyed my best wishes to him on the hosting of the Paris Olympics, which begins next month.”

On his meeting with Macron, the MEA statement said the two leaders reviewed India-France bilateral relations, “focusing on the ‘Horizon 2047’ Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap”.

“Discussions included cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity and cultural initiatives such as the National Museum partnership and enhancing people-to-people ties. They agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with increased focus on ‘Make in India’,” the statement said.

Prime Minister Modi meets US President Joe Biden in Apulia on Friday. (ANI)

These ideas are carried forward from Macron’s visit to India in January this year for the Republic Day celebrations and Modi’s visit to France in July last year, when he had attended the Bastille Day celebrations.

The MEA statement said they also agreed to expand cooperation in the realms of “AI, critical and emerging technologies, energy and sports, while working closely in the context of the forthcoming AI Summit and United Nations Oceans Conference, both to be hosted in France in 2025”.

The two leaders also exchanged views on key global and regional issues, it said, indicating that discussions took place about the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas conflict as well.

The MEA said they emphasised that a “strong and trusted Strategic Partnership between India and France is crucial for a stable and prosperous global order and agreed to work closely to make it scale greater heights”.

Modi meets Sunak

On Modi’s meeting with Sunak, the MEA said, “The two leaders reaffirmed the shared commitment of both countries to further strengthen bilateral relations… discussed the implementation of the Roadmap 2030 and expressed happiness on progress in all areas of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership including regular high level political consultations, defence and security, trade and economic collaboration, critical and high technology sectors and people-to-people ties.”

PM Modi With world leaders at the @G7 Summit in Italy. (Photo: X/@narendramodi)

On the Free Trade Agreement, the MEA said, “They also expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the Free Trade Agreement negotiations between the two countries. Both leaders also discussed regional and multilateral matters of mutual interest.”

Modi said it was “a delight” to meet Sunak. “I reiterated my commitment to further strengthen the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the third term of the NDA Government. There is great scope to deepen ties in sectors like semiconductors, technology and trade. We also talked about further cementing ties in the defence sector.”

According to a statement from 10, Downing Street, the British Prime Minister’s office, “They discussed their mutual commitment to the security and prosperity of both countries and saluted the strength of the relationship.”

During his meeting with Italian counterpart Georgia Meloni, Modi held a discussion on defence cooperation, cultural ties and green energy.

After meeting his counterpart from Japan, Fumio Kishida, PM Modi posted on X, “Strong ties between India and Japan are important for a peaceful, secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific.”