Modi
New Delhi / Paris, September 6, 2025 — In a timely and strategic diplomatic outreach, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a cordial telephone conversation with shared visions: accelerating peace efforts in Ukraine and further strengthening the India–France strategic partnership.
Shared Diplomacy for Ending a Protracted Crisis
PM Modi highlighted India’s unwavering commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine war. “We reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas,” he remarked in a social media post, noting that they also discussed international concerns including the urgent need for an early end to the conflict.
In return, President Macron informed Modi about the recent “Coalition of the Willing” summit held in Paris. He briefed the Prime Minister on developments there, including where around 26 countries have pledged to form a reassurance force for Ukraine, ready to step in post-ceasefire to safeguard peace.
Strengthening Strategic Ties
Beyond diplomatic conversation, the discussion served to reinforce the growing depth of India–France cooperation. The leaders acknowledged advancements in defense, space, economic, science, and technology sectors—areas outlined under India’s Horizon 2047 Roadmap, the Indo-Pacific Roadmap, and the emerging Defence Industrial Roadmap.
Modi also extended gratitude to Macron for accepting the invitation to India’s upcoming AI Impact Summit slated for February 2026—a gesture reflective of the burgeoning tech and innovation collaboration between the two countries.
Context: India’s Diplomatic Balance
This conversation comes just days after Modi’s engagements with both Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, positioning India as a pivotal diplomatic interlocutor amid East-West tensions.
India’s Ministry of External Affairs reaffirmed its backing for diplomacy and dialogue as the only viable solution to restore peace and stability in Ukraine—consistent with its long-held non-aligned and peace-oriented foreign policy principles.
Meanwhile, on the global stage, Macron’s “Coalition of the Willing” initiative continues to gain momentum, aiming to deliver security assurances to Ukraine in any eventual cease-fire or peace settlement.
What’s At Stake
For India:
- Global Credibility: The dialogue underscores India’s evolving role from strategic neutrality to proactive diplomacy.
- Bilateral Momentum: Renewed cooperation with France reaffirms India’s reach in defense, AI, space, and climate domains.
For France and the West:
- Strategic Bridge: Macron’s engagement with Modi helps widen the diplomatic base around Ukraine and may strengthen multilateral frameworks.
- Coalition Coordination: The phone call aligns Indian perspective with the broader coalition’s plans for Ukraine’s future security architecture.
For Ukraine:
- Brokerage Styles: India’s balanced diplomacy offers hope for additional channels to broker peace beyond Western hemispheric efforts.
- Global Support Synergy: Such dialogues can catalyze deeper global coordination around security guarantees and post-conflict support.
Looking Ahead
- Policy Alignment – India and France may explore joint forums—formal or informal—for bridging divergent approaches to the Ukraine conflict.
- Summit Diplomacy – Enhanced engagement could mean Modi’s participation in European institutional summits and vice versa.
- Multilateral Channel Reinforcement – India’s alignment with discussions on Ukraine may strengthen collective efforts in UN settings or through emerging security coalitions.
Conclusion
The Modi–Macron exchange transcended diplomatic niceties—it showcased two global leaders with shared urgency for peace and reinforced bilateral momentum in strategic cooperation. As the world grapples with the enduring East-West schism, India and France’s dialogue emerges as a beacon of collaborative diplomacy. Whether this will translate into tangible peace breakthroughs in Ukraine is yet to unfold—but the foundations are certainly being laid.
Let me know if you’d like a timeline of India’s diplomatic moves on Ukraine or a comparison of France’s and India’s peace approaches across issues.
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