Modi, Macron discuss Ukraine conflict, reaffirm strategic ties
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a telephonic conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron, with the two leaders exchanging views on efforts to end the Ukraine conflict even as they reviewed progress in the India-France Strategic Partnership.
Modi reiterated India’s consistent position that the crisis must be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy, underlining the need for an early restoration of peace and stability. Macron shared France’s ongoing engagement in international efforts aimed at de-escalation.
Macron was among the European leaders present during US President Donald Trump’s talks with his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelenskyy in the White House last month.
Alongside global issues, the leaders positively assessed developments in bilateral cooperation spanning defence, economy, science, technology and space.
“Had a very good conversation with President Macron. We reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas,” Modi said in a social media post.
“Exchanged views on international and regional issues, including efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine. The India-France Strategic Partnership will continue to play a key role in fostering global peace and stability,” he said.
The Ministry of External Affairs said, “They reaffirmed their commitment to deepening ties under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, the Indo-Pacific Roadmap and the Defence Industrial Roadmap.”
Looking ahead, Modi thanked Macron for accepting India’s invitation to participate in the AI Impact Summit scheduled for February 2026, and said he looked forward to welcoming the French President. Both leaders agreed to remain in touch and continue working together to promote regional and global stability.
However, it is not known whether the implications of Washington’s tariff policy figured in the Modi-Macron conversation.
The discussion between Modi and Macron on the Ukraine conflict appears to be significant. The Prime Minister met Russian President Vladimir Putin on the sidelines of the annual summit of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) in China’s Tianjin this week.
In the meeting, Modi conveyed to Putin that India welcomes all the recent efforts towards establishing peace in Ukraine and that it is humanity’s call to find a way to resolve hostilities as soon as possible.
Zelenskyy had dialled Modi last Saturday, two days before the Prime Minister’s meeting with Putin. After the phone conversation with Modi, Zelenskyy said India is ready to make the necessary efforts and to deliver the appropriate signal to Russia.
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