pm modi visit in france

PM Modi In France Highlights: Bastille Day Parade, CEOs Forum Meet Wrap PM Modi's France Visit

Pm modi france visit highlights: bastille day commemorates the storming of the bastille prison during the french revolution in 1789..

PM Modi in France Live: A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent participated in the parade.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday joined President Emmanuel Macron for the Bastille Day parade as part of the French National Day celebrations as the Guest of Honour. PM Modi, who is in France for a two-day official visit, also attended an India-France CEOs Forum meeting along with Macron.

The French National Day, or Bastille Day, occupies a special place in the French consciousness as it commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison during the French Revolution in 1789. The Bastille Day parade is the highlight of the celebrations.

A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent participated in the parade. Three Rafale fighter jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) also joined the flypast on the occasion along with French jets.

Here are the Highlights on PM Modi's France visit:

PM @narendramodi had a wonderful meeting with Mrs. Leena Nair, CEO of @CHANEL . They discussed ways to promote Indian handicrafts like khadi. The PM invited Chanel to explore investment opportunities and collaboration potential in India. pic.twitter.com/IbBu6MiZDu - PMO India (@PMOIndia) July 14, 2023

The talks with my friend, President @EmmanuelMacron were very productive. We reviewed the full range of India-France relations. I am particularly enthusiastic about deepening cooperation in futuristic sectors like green hydrogen, renewable energy, AI, semiconductors and more. pic.twitter.com/kNxPGYj5Fh - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

Vive l'amitié entre l'Inde et la France ! Long live the French-Indian friendship! भारत और फ्रांस के बीच दोस्ती अमर रहे! pic.twitter.com/f0OP31GzIH - Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 14, 2023

On this historic occasion of Bastille Day, joined the parade in Paris. My heartfelt gratitude for the warm welcome and honour received. pic.twitter.com/0Zk6FwEKbd - Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 14, 2023

A giant in world history, with a decisive role to play in the future, a strategic partner, a friend. We are proud to welcome India as our guest of honour at the 14 July parade. pic.twitter.com/bh6dwmHFRH - Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 14, 2023

Watch | Indian #Rafale fighter jets join the flypast on #BastilleDayParade in France @VishnuNDTV reports pic.twitter.com/My5JwzPCs6 - NDTV (@ndtv) July 14, 2023

#PMModiInFrance | PM Modi, French President Emmanuel Macron Meet Contingent Commanders Of Indian Army, Air Force and Navy pic.twitter.com/APpuRsZUGA - NDTV (@ndtv) July 14, 2023

Amazing images of Indian and French soldiers interacting ahead of the Bastille Day parade. Soldiers of the Punjab Regiment fought and shed blood in Western Europe during the First World War.They are heros here and are honoured participants at the French National Day. #BastilleDay pic.twitter.com/LE5nVicNdk - Vishnu Som (@VishnuNDTV) July 14, 2023

French President Emmanuel Macron bestowed the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor on PM Narendra Modi. It is the highest French honour in military or civilian orders. PM Modi will become the first Indian PM to receive this honour. In the past, the Grand Cross of the Legion of... pic.twitter.com/7nBEcAeDf8 - ANI (@ANI) July 13, 2023

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PM will hold talks with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. Domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture are to be discussed during the visit

PM Modi emplanes for an official visit to United Arab Emirates after his successful visit from France.

"India and France have a lot of similarities, but I feel the biggest similarity between us is the way we enjoy our food," says PM Modi at banquet dinner in Louvre Museum, Paris.

India, France announce raft of major defence cooperation projects

"French President Emmanuel Macron honoured me with his country's highest award yesterday. This is not only a matter of pride for me but also for 140 crore Indians. I express my heartfelt gratitude to French President Macron for this honour," says PM Modi speaking during banquet dinner hosted at Louvre Museum, Paris.

In the past 25 years, the world faced many ups and downs and challenging times, but the friendship between France and India continued to grow deeper. We are contributing not only to the welfare of both countries but also to world peace and security. Our partnership is a force for global good: PM Modi

PM Narendra Modi raises a toast to the India-France relations at the Banquet dinner being hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron for PM Narendra Modi.

I congratulate the people of France on Bastille Day. It was a matter of happiness and pride for me to celebrate Bastille Day with the people of France. French President Emmanuel Macron conferred me with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour. It is a matter of pride and honour for the 140 crore people of India. I thank French President Emmanuel Macron and French First Lady Brigitte Macron for this honour: PM Modi

India and France are working together to make the world a better place: PM Modi

French President Emmanuel Macron and PM Modi address the banquet dinner.

Macron hosts banquet dinner for PM Modi at Louvre Museum

PM Narendra Modi arrives at Louvre Museum in Paris to attend the banquet dinner; received by French President Emmanuel Macron and French First Lady Brigitte Macron

PM Narendra Modi to arrive at Louvre Museum in Paris to attend the banquet dinner.French President Emmanuel Macron and French First Lady Brigitte Macron to welcome him.

Prime Minister’s visit to France and UAE (July 13-15, 2023)

Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi will pay an Official Visit to France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from 13-15 July 2023.

Prime Minister will visit Paris from 13-14 July 2023 at the invitation of H.E. Mr. Emmanuel Macron, President of France. Prime Minister will be the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade on 14 July 2023, where a tri-services Indian armed forces contingent would be participating.

Prime Minister will hold formal talks with President Macron. President Macron will host a State Banquet as well as a private dinner in honour of the Prime Minister.

Prime Minister is also scheduled to meet the Prime Minister of France as well as the Presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly of France. He will separately interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India – France Strategic Partnership, and Prime Minister’s visit will provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation.

Prime Minister will, thereafter, visit Abu Dhabi on July 15. Prime Minister will hold talks with H.H. Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi. The India-UAE Comprehensive Strategic Partnership has been steadily strengthening and Prime Minister’s visit will be an opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture. It will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of UAE’s Presidency of COP-28 of the UNFCCC and India’s G-20 Presidency in which UAE is a Special Invitee.

PM Narendra Modi's France Visit : Here's how the Day 1 unfolded

• PM Modi will arrive in Paris at around 4 PM IST and will receive a ceremonial welcome at the Orly Airport.
• At around 7:30 PM IST, he will arrive at the senate and meet Mr Gerrad Larcher, President of the state.
• At around 8:45 PM IST, he will meet French Prime Minister, Ms Elisabeth Borne.
• At 11 PM IST, he will address an Indian community event at the iconic La Seine Musicale.
• At 12:30 AM IST, he will reach Elysee Palace for a private dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron.

PM receives warm reception at Elysee Palace

— MEAIndia (@MEAIndia)

Modi being received by Macron

— ANI (@ANI)

PM Modi arrives at Elysee Palace in Paris to attend dinner hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron

India is working towards becoming a developed country in the next 25 years...international agencies say that india is a bright spot...india has a lot of potential for investments. indian government is committed to providing facilities & safety to all indians who are settled abroad...whether it's ukraine or sudan, afghanistan, or iraq, we have always come forward to protect our countrymen. indian settled abroad are equally important to us like the citizens of india: pm narendra modi, a statue of the great thiruvalluvar in france is an honour for india: modi, be it india's upi or other digital platforms, they have brought a huge social transformation in the country: modi, today, banking service in india, are available 24x7, anytime, anywhere at the finger tips of people. direct benefit transfer has become a part of governance: pm modibe it india's upi or other digital platforms, they have brought about a huge social transformation in the country., very few people know that india and france are working on archaeological missions for a long time. it's expanded from chandigarh to ladakh. digital infrastructure is another sector that strengthens the ties between india and france., india to open new consulate in marseille with the help of the french government: pm modi, france to allow indian students pursuing masters a five-year post study work visa: pm modi, india and france have agreed to use upi in france. in the coming days, it will begin from the eiffel tower, which means indian tourists will now be able to pay in rupees: pm modi, "after some hours, we will launch the historic chandrayaan-3 from sriharikota," says pm modi as he interacts with indian diaspora in paris, tamil is the oldest language in the world. what could be a matter of bigger pride that the world's oldest language is indian: pm narendra modi, "india has resolved that it will not let any opportunity slip, nor will it let a moment go to waste. i have resolved that every second of my time is for the people of the country, says pm narendra modi, in paris, world has come to believe that it won't take long for india to become usd 5 trillion economy: pm modi in address to indian diaspora., hundreds of years ago, indian soldiers protecting the pride of france, were martyred on french soil while performing their duty. punjab regiment, one of the regiments that took part in the war here, is going to participate in the national day parade tomorrow: pm modi, your (members of the indian diaspora in france) contribution towards improving the indo-french relationship will be written in history in golden words," says pm modi in his interaction with the indian diaspora in paris., people-to-people connect is the strongest foundation of india-france partnership. india and france are tackling many challenges of the 21st century. therefore, at this crucial time, the importance of the strategic partnership between our countries has increased even more: pm, modi speaks about his membership of alliance francais, today the french prime minister came to greet me. tomorrow i'll join my friend president macron at the bastille day parade. this is a reflection of the bond between the two nations: pm modi at the la seine musical, tomorrow, the soldiers of india's all three forces will take part in the bastille day parade, says pm modi during his interaction with the indian diaspora, kylian mbappe has more fans in india than france': pm modi, climate change, supply chains, counter-terrorism or counter-radicalism, the world is looking to india: pm modi, when i hear 'bharat mata ki jai' abroad, i feel i have come home:pm modi, we indians create a mini india wherever we go. and i've heard some people have travelled 10-11 hours to come here. there can be no greater love than this, prime minister narendra modi met french pm elisabeth borne today. the leaders discussed furthering cooperation in various areas such as economic and trade, energy, environment, education, mobility, railways, digital public infrastructure, museology and people-to-people ties. both sides reiterated their desire to further deepen the multifaceted cooperation between india and france, had productive exchanges: pm on meeting gérard larcher.

— narendramodi (@narendramodi)

PM Modi meets French counterpart Elisabeth Borne

PM Modi in France

Pm modi will address an indian community at around 11 pm ist today, pm narendra modi meets french counterpart, pm meets french senate president, pm narendra modi france visit live: diaspora accords warm welcome, pm narendra modi france visit live: pm modi will address an indian community event at the iconic la seine musicale at around 11 pm ist today, pm narendra modi france visit live: pm modi receives a warm welcome by the members of indian diaspora.

— PTI_News (@PTI_News)

PM Narendra Modi France Visit Live: MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi elaborates on PM Modi's two-day visit to France as the PM lands in Paris

Pm modi receives guard of honour as he lands in paris, france for a two-day state visit., pm narendra modi receives a ceremonial welcome as he arrives in paris, france for an official two-day visit., pm modi lands in paris, france on a two-day state visit, pm narendra modi france visit live: indian air force's rafales and 77 personnel-strong contingent will participate in the bastille day parade in paris, france tomorrow, it is a moment of tremendous pride for us since we will be representing our country as well as our force on a foreign land in front of our pm who will be witnessing the parade. i will be commanding the air force's contingent which comprises 77 personnel of which 68 will be marching.

- Squadron Leader Sindhu Reddy

PM Narendra Modi France Visit Live: Naval variant of Rafale jets suitable for operations from aircraft carriers

Pm narendra modi france visit live: price of rafale fighter jets and submarines to be negotiated with the french government, first look of the indian air force’s rafales that will take part in the bastille day parade on july 14 in paris, france, acquisition of three additional scorpene submarines will extend the current line of boats being built at mdl, acquisition of 26 rafale m fighters will meet immediate and critical requirements of the indian navy, pm narendra modi france visit live: photo exhibition organised in french foreign affairs building ahead of the visit.

— E_Lenain (@E_Lenain)

Defence Ministry gives initial nod to buy Rafale fighter jets

Pm narendra modi france visit live: defence ministry gives initial nod for three scorpene-class submarines to be made by mazagon dock ltd with french naval group, pm narendra modi france visit live: pm modi's schedule for day 1, our partnership aims to advance a free, open, inclusive, secure and stable indo pacific region, working together and with others in the region who share our vision.

- PM Modi ahead of his two-day visit to France

PM Narendra Modi France Visit Live: Our trade has nearly doubled since 2014, says PM Modi ahead of his visit

Pm narendra modi france visit live: last year, india was the country of the year in paris book fair, cannes film festival, vivatech, paris infra week and international seatech week in france in 2022, says pm modi ahead of his visit., i feel that president macron's thinking really matches ours. and so we are naturally compatible to work together. and for this, i have the greatest gratitude towards him. our partnership is vital for peace and stability in the indo-pacific region. we see france as one of our foremost global partners, pm narendra modi france visit live: india is planning to buy 26 more rafale fighter jets and three scorpene class submarines.

PM Narendra Modi France Visit Live: India is one of the biggest buyers of French arms; bought 36 Rafale fighter jets in 2015

Pm narendra modi france visit live: pm modi left for france earlier today, pm narendra modi france visit live: "steady and resilient through darkest storms," says pm modi ahead of his two-day visit to france, i look forward to meeting president macron and holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward this longstanding and time-tested partnership over the next 25 years. i have had the opportunity to meet president macron several times since my last official visit to france in 2022, most recently in hiroshima, japan in may 2023 during the g-7 summit.

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi

PM Narendra Modi France Visit Live: PM Modi's schedule for Friday

• On Friday, Modi will grace the Bastille Day Parade, meet the president of French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet and will attend a series of interactions with thought leaders and businesspeople.
• There will be a ceremonial reception for Modi at the Elysee Palace on Friday and it will be followed by delegation-level talks between Modi and Macron.
• The two leaders will also participate in the India-France CEO Forum.
• Later in the evening, Macron will host a banquet for Modi at the iconic Louvre museum complex in Paris.

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India's PM Modi to join Macron for France's Bastille Day military parade

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will join President Emmanuel Macron in Paris for France's Bastille Day military parade on July 14, the two countries said in a joint statement Friday.

Issued on: 05/05/2023 - 15:41

Following in the footsteps of other world leaders wooed by Macron such as former US president Donald Trump, the gesture towards Modi and India comes as France looks to shore up alliances in the Indo-Pacific region.

Modi's presence -- and Indian forces' participation in the parade -- would mark "a new phase in the strategic partnership between France and India ," Macron's Elysee Palace office said.

The two nations would "set new objectives for strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation, including in a large number of industrial sectors," it added.

Like the US and other Western nations, France sees developments in the Indo-Pacific as crucial to the future geopolitical balance of power and is stepping up engagement in the region.

But the path has not been without slip-ups, as last month when Macron raised hackles with a state visit to China seen by many allies as insufficiently critical of President Xi Jinping and his ambition to take control of Taiwan.

Wider Western efforts to draw India to their side have also struggled, with Modi's government seizing the opportunity of sanctions over Moscow's invasion of Ukraine to buy up cut-price Russian oil.

France and India nevertheless have "a shared vision of peace and security, especially in Europe and in the Indo-Pacific region, and defend the objectives and principles of the United Nations Charter," the Elysee said.

India has also been a customer for French arms in recent years, including Dassault's Rafale fighter jet s.

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Expert Explains: With PM Modi’s visit, how India-France ties might shape up with a new roadmap for 2047

The french views on foreign affairs, therefore, converge with the indian preference for a multipolar world and strategic independence. how can this aid the two countries' future ties and what have been the outcomes of pm modi's recent visit.

Following Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to France on July 13 and 14, the two countries have agreed to further cooperation in sectors such as defence and outlined a roadmap for the next 25 years of India-France ties. We discussed the larger implications of the visit with Professor Gulshan Sachdeva of the Centre for European Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi.

This visit marks the 25th year of India and France entering into a strategic partnership. PM Modi described the two countries’ ties as “being in excellent shape”, and that they are “strong, trusted, consistent.” What makes this relationship unique in the way that it has been sustained?

Since 1998, when India’s first-ever strategic partnership was signed with France, both countries have worked closely in almost all multilateral forums, including in the UN Security Council. The convergence has emerged on issues related to reformed and effective multilateralism, international terrorism, Climate Change, sustainable development, and the Indo-Pacific.

Both are situated in different geographies and are at different stages of economic development. But somehow their worldviews seem to have converged. France is an integral part of the European economic and security architecture, which is based on the common economic integration project and trans-Atlantic alliance.

Still, the core of French foreign policy has been national identity and strategic independence. Since Charles De Gaulle, French leadership seems to believe that a strong and united Europe could be used as a tool to improve the French position in world affairs. President Emmanuel Macron intends to make the EU a third pole in global affairs along with the US and China through strategic autonomy and European sovereignty. In 1998, then President Jacques Chirac wanted to resolve India’s exclusion from the global nuclear framework and refrained from imposing economic sanctions as many other countries did.

The French views on foreign affairs, therefore, converge with the Indian preference for a multipolar world and strategic independence. The last 25 years have also seen unprecedented economic growth in the Indian economy. There has also been the rise of an assertive China. Economic and geopolitical factors created tremendous opportunities for both to work together.

A strong institutional mechanism has been established to strengthen cooperation in the areas of defence, space, civil nuclear, renewables, cyberspace, digital technology, counter-terrorism, maritime security, regular defence exercises and the blue economy.

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Both have jointly launched the International Solar Alliance and established trilaterals like India-France-Australia and India-France-UAE. So, a similar worldview and new economic opportunities in India have sustained the partnership in the last 25 years.

In the ‘Horizon 2047’ communique issued after the recent visit, talking about the next 25 years of the relationship, three major areas have been identified: Partnership for security and sovereignty, for the planet and for the people. Why do you think these areas have been selected? The way links have developed over the last quarter century, partnership for security and sovereignty, for the planet and for the people capture the essence and ambition for the next 25 years. France has emerged as the second largest exporter of defence equipment to India in the last ten years. 36 Rafale fighter jets have already been delivered.

A large number of deals including more Rafale jets, submarines, joint development of combat aircraft engines and helicopters are being negotiated and finalised. Some of them may involve joint production and significant technology transfer. This is crucial for India’s defence modernization, diversification of supplies and Make in India project. There is a convergence in security and economic interests in the Indo-Pacific.

As outlined in a separate Indo-Pacific Roadmap, both may align their infrastructure, connectivity and development projects together linking through trilateral cooperation with Australia the UAE or through triangular development cooperation projects. The communique covers the ambitions concerning a low carbon economy. A large number of specific projects in the areas of renewables, circular economy and blue economy are mentioned.

These could be useful for India’s sustainable modernisation and urbanisation. France is a pioneer in civil nuclear energy and has offered to build six nuclear power reactors in Jaitapur.

However, it may not be easy to implement these projects due to changing global energy dynamics, huge costs involved as well as pending technical and legal issues. Initiatives for promoting people-to-people contacts through tourism, collaborations among educational and research institutions as well as businesses are useful. To sustain this partnership in the long run, we may also need robust civil society linkages.

The larger issues that are currently being discussed globally in the short term, relate to the Ukraine -Russia war, in which Europe figures prominently. In the longer term, China’s influence on world affairs, and the lows in its relationship with countries like India and the US are of concern. How can cooperation with France assist India in such a scenario?

Issues concerning Russia and China will continue to influence bilateral ties. For Europe, the major foreign policy challenge at the moment is the Russia-Ukraine war. This is an area where Indian and French perceptions differ. Within Europe, Macron is also being criticised for his softer approach both towards Russia and China as well as his remarks on Taiwan . Although Modi in Paris mentioned that he is ready to contribute to lasting peace in Ukraine, no concrete initiative was outlined.

Many European leaders including Macron have labelled China as a negotiating partner, an economic competitor, and a systemic rival. Since ‘de-coupling’ from China is not possible, the latest focus is on ‘de-risking’ economic ties with China. Although Europe’s tough policies towards Russia and French ‘mixed-up’ approach towards China will continue to pose challenges to bilateral ties, it may also through new opportunities to work together.

Were there any substantial outcomes seen in the sphere of India and France’s economic ties?

An area which found relatively little space in the communique is trade and investment. For the last few years, India’s trade with France is about $10-12 billion a year. In comparison, our trade with countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, Malaysia and Vietnam is more than France.

Most large French companies have a presence in India. For the last 25 years, they have invested about $10 billion. India definitely can have better trade and investment ties with a $3 trillion European economy. Negotiations on India-EU trade and investment agreements have re-started. Early conclusion of these agreements may provide a new momentum to economic ties. Knowing the history of these negotiations, however, we really need to redouble our efforts to finalise these agreements.

Some of the new measures announced include raising the number of students who will be admitted to France. Even as a language barrier exists, on what pillars is the growth of people-to-people ties being planned?

Already signed migration and mobility agreement, larger student and professional mobility and improved civil society linkages may help bring India and France further closer. Alliances Françaises’s objective of reaching 50,000 students will help in achieving the new target of 30,000 Indian students in France by 2030. Since language will be a factor in mobility, encouraging French in educational institutions will be crucial.

Multiple visits to France have been made by PM Modi. To what extent can the state of India-France ties be attributed to the present leadership of the two countries, does their bonhomie play a role?

On solid foundations laid by earlier leaders, three Indian Prime Ministers and four French Presidents have contributed to special India-France ties in the last 25 years. PM Modi played a historic role in finalizing the Rafale deal and forcefully articulating the Indo-Pacific narrative, which has made a qualitative difference. Modi-Macron bonhomie has the potential to make it a defining partnership.

(Gulshan Sachdeva is Professor, Centre for European Studies and Coordinator, Jean Monnet Centre of Excellence, Jawaharlal Nehru University)

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PM Modi's France visit to be 'quite an event': French Envoy Emmanuel Lenain | Exclusive

French ambassador emmanuel lenain told india today that prime minister narendra modi's upcoming visit to france is expected to strengthen defense cooperation, trade ties and bilateral relations. in france, pm modi will be the guest of honour at the bastille day parade..

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In an exclusive conversation with India Today's Foreign Affairs Editor, Geeta Mohan, the French envoy to India, Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain set the tone and tenor of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's upcoming visit to France.

Prime Minister Modi has been invited as the Guest of Honour at the Bastille Day Parade (France's National Day) celebrations on July 14. This is a rare honour, as France does not invite foreign dignitaries as chief guests every year.

Terming it a visit with “maximum impact and maximum outcomes”, Ambassador Lenain highlighted what this visit would mean for both nations. ALSO READ PM Narendra Modi hails India's SAFF Championship triumph

The French Ambassador emphasised the leaps in defence cooperation, which would be visible at the special military parade.

"We're going to have Indian troops marching on the Champs-‰lysées at the beginning of Bastille Day, and we have Indian Rafale participating in the fly past," he said.

While the visit is anticipated to lead to large defence contracts, cooperation in trade, chart out a new course for bilateral ties; the French have made a strong bid for the naval version of the Rafale fighter jets after the induction of 36 air force variants in 2022.

"We've been cooperating with India on aircraft fighters since the 1950s. We provide the best technology to India as a close partner and ally. We also provide maximum content of 'Make in India', so we have made a good offer. The decision is now really in the hands of Indian authorities," said Ambassador Lenain.

According to reports, India is close to approving the purchase of Dassault Aviation’s Rafale-M (Marine) fighter jets that will operate from the flight deck of India’s newest aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant.

He also reaffirmed France's support for India's UNSC membership bid and cooperation in fighting terror. ALSO READ PM Modi's 4-state tour over projects worth Rs 50,000 crore

On the 'Make in India' front, he said that France is going beyond just manufacturing to “co-development”.

AMBASSADOR EMMANUEL LENAIN's CONVERSATION WITH INDIA TODAY

What are the key takeaways that we can expect from Prime Minister Modi's visit to Paris, this time around?

"To begin with, it's a really symbolic visit. We wanted to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the strategic partnership between the two countries. We thought that would be the best symbol. We're going to have Indian troops marching on the Champs-‰lysées at the beginning of Bastille Day, and we have Indian Rafale participating in the fly past."

Will the Indian forces represent themselves from all three wings of the Indian forces?

"Of course."

In terms of takeaways and agreements, what is going to be the focus, this time around?

"It's very wide. The topics of discussion are multifold. There would be definitely new outcomes in terms of strategic, defence and space. We are making progress around nuclear as well. This is, thus, the core of the two countries’ strategic autonomy."

"As I like to call it, stands to be an important aspect of the visit. We're going to be working together on things like energy efficiency, energy transition. We are betting together on the energy of the future. Expect some announcements on hydrogen. We have a roadmap on hydrogen. We will move forward on that. We want to work on R&D, certification, industrial partnerships; and you will see more of that during this visit."

"Also, a lot of people-to-people exchanges can be expected. Our partnership is about people, after all. In the long run, that’s what matters. We expect it to be easier for our Indian friends to come to France and work, study in our country. So, there could be announcements on that front as well." ALSO READ Modi surname case: No coercive action against Rahul Gandhi, rules Jharkhand High Court

Is PM Modi also expected to visit the French President, several political leaders and hold bilateral, informal meetings?

"Of course! Everybody in Paris is excited to have him. He is going to have quite a lot of interactions. There will be discussions with political leaders. He has very good personal chemistry, so there will be one-on-one and larger meetings. We will be able to have exchanges on all sorts of issues, potential partnerships etc."

"We recognise the role of India in international affairs. We want to see more of India. We want to see India in the space of global governance more forcefully. We definitely support and want to see India on the UN Security Council. We praise India for its presidency of the G20 as well, so there's a lot to discuss together."

"PM Modi will also meet senior French politicians and the Indian Diaspora. It is going to be quite an event."

Are riots and protests in France concerning in terms of security?

"Not at all. There are events in France. Now the situation is getting back to normal. There was a shocking incident and just to shed some light on this... the violence is subsiding and it has nothing to do with the visit. We'd be happy to greet Prime Minister Modi, and it will be done with all the panache that we can provide."

After the Air Force, will France win the bid for the naval version of the fighter jets too?

"We would like that. We've been cooperating with India on aircraft fighters since the 1950s. We provide the best technology to India as a close partner and ally. We also provide maximum content of ‘Make in India’ so we have made a good offer. The decision now is really in the hands of the Indian authorities."

Do you see cooperation between the two countries on terrorism?

"We are already doing a lot. Our two countries are committed to fighting the scourge of terrorism. We're doing much to contribute to this cause. We are resolute democracies and we want to fight it with our own instruments. We are carrying forth training and raising awareness on this subject. We're sharing information, training together against this. Your ‘Black Cats’ or NSG boys are training with our sister institution in France."

"We also do a lot in the UN Security Council. We support new names being put on the sanctions committee list. More recently, we've been trying to go to the roots of terrorism and how it's being financed. We were very satisfied to see India hosting the third conference on ‘No Money For Terror’, a process that we launched years ago to fight against the financing of terrorism. India is in the driver’s seat in terms of taking a stand against terrorism and proposing a permanent structure which is a welcome initiative."

The Russia-Ukraine war definitely concerns everybody. Many say it is a European war but one that has a wide-ranging and long-lasting impact.

"It's not just a European war. When the principles of international law and the UN charter are at stake, it becomes a global concern." ALSO READ Eye on 2047, not 2024: PM Modi at Union Council of Ministers’ meeting

Is it something that will be a part of the discussions?

"Yes, each time our leaders meet, they exchange analyses and notes and discuss a definitive way forward with regard to these issues. We know India’s complaints. We respect India's strategic autonomy. We feel exactly the same. All countries should make decisions according to their interests, priorities and principles. We don’t want any interference or pressure from other countries. That is the core of the strategic partnership."

"We discuss a lot and try to find solutions, also to get more room for decision and be more independent in decision making. That is the spirit of our partnership."

What about cooperation in the Indo-Pacific? France will never be a part of the QUAD, quite understandably, because you have stakes in the Indo-Pacific.

"Not really. We are quite pragmatic about that. We believe that challenges in the Indo-Pacific are so important that there will never be enough energy about involvement by like-minded countries who want to support freedom of navigation, the rule of law, the laws of the seas. Everybody should join efforts towards the same cause to be able to progress. Quad is very welcome. We could definitely work with Quad countries on specific initiatives and we also work with India on trilateral cooperation with the UAE, Australia, maybe one day with Indonesia. We work with India on international forum in the region. We very much welcome the initiative by India about IPOI (Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative) and we take the lead in one of the pillars of the initiative."

"Everything is quite complementary, there is no competition. When you are a democracy, when you want to support international law, you just have to team up with like-minded countries."

What is the thrust of your national security advisor's visit to Delhi? How much of the focus is going to be on 'Make in India'?

"Yes, ‘Make in India’ is a priority. All our industries have been working on it for years. We have been pioneering 'Make in India' because we understand that India has to build its own defence industry. We respect that. It is part of our DNA. It goes even further. Right now, we've been discussing co-development. New-generation equipment, we feel that, given India's strengths, should definitely collaborate and work together to develop the next generation. In that spirit, some companies are offering to share technology on engines for multi-role combat aircraft (AMCA), next-generation aircraft. Make in India, yes. Even more, co-development to boost India’s autonomy."

Military deals in focus as France rolls out red carpet for Modi

As the Indian PM prepares for a lavish dinner at the Louvre with President Macron, New Delhi gives a nod to further purchases of jets and submarines.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has arrived in France for a two-day visit as New Delhi signalled that it would approve plans to buy French jets and submarines.

Modi landed in Paris on Thursday at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron, who has made the Indian leader a guest of honour at Bastille Day celebrations in the capital.

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India will be part of a military parade on Friday, with the Indian air force performing a fly-past.

Ahead of his departure, Modi said he was looking forward to holding wide-ranging discussions on taking forward a “longstanding and time-tested partnership”.

The Hindu nationalist leader was welcomed at Orly airport near Paris by French Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne and met members of the Indian diaspora. Later, he is to attend a lavish dinner at the Louvre Museum with Macron.

A warm welcome by the Indian diaspora in Paris! Across the world, our diaspora has made a mark for themselves and are admired for their diligence and hardworking nature. pic.twitter.com/NtQCSmpCt3 — Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) July 13, 2023

Analysts said that while France and India have differing positions on the Russia-Ukraine war, these views are unlikely to impact the foundations of their relationship.

Manoj Joshi, a senior analyst at the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation, told Al Jazeera that the visit will focus on India-France ties and is “not really aimed at the European situation”.

“The differences between the Indian position and that of France is well known and is unlikely to be an issue,” Joshi said.

France strongly supports Ukraine and has sent military aid to Kyiv while pressuring Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the conflict. By contrast, India has maintained a publicly neutral stance and snapped up Russian oil .

Even so, Joshi said Modi’s visit will boost the pair’s relationship.

“France has a view of strategic autonomy which is much like that of India. As for the defence industry, again the relationship is old, and India is seeking to move it now from arms transfer and co-development to joint development of weapons and systems.”

As for France, Joshi believes Paris is looking to India “as an important market for its high-tech industry”.

New defence deals

On Thursday, the Indian body in charge of approving military acquisition gave a nod to the procurement of 26 Rafale fighter aircraft from France.

India’s defence ministry added that the Defence Acquisition Council also gave an initial approval to the purchase of three additional Scorpene-class submarines.

India has been purchasing French military gear for decades, and the new deals are reportedly worth about $10bn

Indian security experts said defence acquisitions allow New Delhi to diversify its military hardware partners and reduce its dependency on ageing Russian military equipment.

From 2018 to 2022, France emerged as India’s second largest arms supplier, accounting for 29 percent of imports, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute.

Parth Satam, a foreign policy expert and editor at EurAsian Times, told Al Jazeera that unlike the United States, France will not try to persuade India to turn on Russia or pressure Modi to take a harder line on Moscow.

“[France] knows India will stick to its neutral stand, and a joint statement, if there is one after PM Modi and President Macron meet, might not see a reference to Ukraine. India’s individual statement will also continue to refer to the war as the ‘Ukraine conflict’.”

Satam said India is likely seeking greater French participation in defence programmes that involve manufacturing within India.

“This includes … localisation of manufacturing defence aerospace components and devices,” he said. “Such deals deliver greater benefits to Indian industry in terms of job creation and access to advanced military-scientific technology.”

France is “not unwilling” to make such deals, he added.

According to Christophe Jaffrelot, professor of Indian politics and sociology at the King’s India Institute, the ties between India and France are “dominated” by security objectives.

In the Indian Express, he wrote: “Official narratives do emphasise structural affinities such as democratic like-mindedness, but what matters more are common, security-related interests.”

Another area in which India and France align is on China, Jaffrelot said, explaining that while Macron is concerned with “Chinese expansionism”, India is “equally worried about the growing influence of China in its neighbourhood”.

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PM Modi to visit France and UAE from July 13-15

Modi will visit france at the invitation of president emmanuel macron from july 13-14, and will be the guest of honour at the bastille day parade on july 14.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit France and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from July 13-15 to take forward cooperation with both countries in areas ranging from defence and security to energy.

Modi is visiting France at the invitation of Macron during July 13-14. Being the chief guest at the military parade is considered a signal honour, and the last foreign leader to be invited by France was former US president Donald Trump in 2017. A 269-member Indian tri-services contingent will participate in the parade and three French-origin Rafale combat jets of the Indian Air Force (IAF) will join a flypast.

Macron and Modi will hold formal talks, and the French president will host a state banquet and a private dinner for the prime minister, the external affairs ministry said.

Modi is also scheduled to meet his French counterpart Élisabeth Borne and the presidents of the Senate and the National Assembly. He will also interact with the Indian diaspora in France, CEOs of Indian and French companies, and prominent French personalities.

People familiar with the matter said several agreements to enhance defence cooperation between India and France are expected to be finalised during the visit, including those for acquiring 26 naval variants of the Rafale combat jet or the Rafale-Marine and three Scorpene-class submarines, and another for joint development of an engine for fighter jets with French aircraft equipment manufacturer Safran.

A roadmap for defence-industrial cooperation is also likely to be finalised during the visit, the people said.

The Indian Air Force currently operates 36 Rafale combat jets. The deal for acquiring these aircraft was finalised during Modi’s visit to France in 2015. The new Rafale M jets are expected to serve on the INS Vikrant aircraft carrier.

The last of six Scorpene-class submarine ordered earlier for the Indian Navy is expected to be commissioned next year, with the vessel currently undergoing trials. There is expected to be a follow-on order for three more Scorpene submarines that will be fitted with air-independent propulsion (AIP) systems to allow them to remain submerged for longer.

This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership, and the external affairs ministry said Modi’s visit will “provide an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future across diverse sectors such as strategic, cultural, scientific, academic and economic cooperation”.

From France, Modi will travel to Abu Dhabi in the UAE on July 15, and hold talks with President of the UAE and ruler of Abu Dhabi, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The India-UAE comprehensive strategic partnership has been “steadily strengthening” and Modi’s visit will be an “opportunity to identify ways to take this forward in various domains such as energy, education, healthcare, food security, fintech, defence and culture”, the ministry said.

The visit will also be an opportunity to discuss cooperation on global issues, particularly in the context of the UAE’s presidency of COP28 and India’s G20 presidency, in which the UAE is a guest country.

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Prime Minister Modi visit to France

What’s in today’s article?

Why in news, why india-france ties are strong, news summary: prime minister modi’s visit to france, key outcomes.

• The revolution symbolises the democratic values of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’.
• It is also the anniversary of Fête de la Fédération, an event held in 1790 to celebrate the unity of the French people.
• This year marks the 25th anniversary of the India – France Strategic Partnership . 
• Against this backdrop, the current visit provides an opportunity to chart the course of the partnership for the future.

• The two countries commenced their strategic partnership, India’s first, immediately after India’s nuclear tests in 1998.
• This was at a time when most Western capitals had turned their backs on New Delhi.
• The signing of an agreement for the supply of 36 Rafale aircraft in September 2016, and an industrial agreement in March 2018 to build six European pressurized water reactors (EPR) at the Jaitapur site are directly linked to this partnership.
• While defence deals with the US are dogged by unpredictability due to Congressional interventions and export control regimes, the French deals come with no strings attached.
• the acquisition of 26 Rafale-M (the marine version) fighters for the Indian Navy, and 
• co-production of three more Scorpene class submarines at the public sector Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Ltd.
• In October 2022, they signed a Road Map on Green Hydrogen, which aims to bring the French and Indian hydrogen ecosystems together.
• Earlier in February 2022, they signed a Road Map on the Blue Economy and Ocean Governance .
• Both India and France value their strategic autonomy, pursue independence in their foreign policies, and seek a multipolar world.
• Both acknowledge the place and importance of the US in the world order.
• Modi and Macron enjoy great personal rapport. India did not let last week’s rioting and violence in Paris come in the way of the Indian PM’s visit. 
• The two countries have had a tradition of not commenting on each other’s internal issues . 
• Macron did not bring up the Manipur, issue or India’s perceived backsliding on human rights and religious freedoms.
• Established by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802, the Legion of Honor is the reward for outstanding merit acquired in the service of the nation in a civilian or military capacity.
• The joint statement – “ 25th Anniversary of the Strategic Partnership between France and India: towards a Century of Indo-French Relations ” – sets the course for the France-India bilateral relationship in all areas till 2047.
• 100 years of India’s Independence, 
• 100 years of diplomatic relations between our two countries, and 
• 50 years of the Indo-French strategic partnership.
• The roadmap for bilateral relations has three pillars : partnership for security and sovereignty; partnership for the planet; partnership for the people .

Image caption: Different Pillars under 25-year vision roadmap

• In 2018, India and France agreed on a ‘ Joint Strategic Vision of India-France Cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region’ .
• This will enable joint financing of sustainable development projects in the Indo-Pacific region.
• India and France will work to set up the Indo-French Health Campus for the Indo-Pacific.
• 80% of plastic waste originate from land sources. 
• 9.2 billion tons of plastic have been produced since 1950, among which 7 billion tons of waste have been generated. 
• Each year, 400 million tons of plastic are produced, of which one-third are produced for single use products and around 10 million tons are dumped into the ocean.
• In this context, joint commitment aims to eliminate single use plastic products pollution, including ban on single use plastic products which have low utility and high littering potential by France and India.
• It would mean 100 million Euros for City Investments to Innovate, Integrate and Sustain 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0) and 50 million USD for climate projects and women’s empowerment in micro-finance.

Q1) What is Single Use Plastic?

Single-use plastic refers to plastic items that are designed to be used only once before being discarded. These are products that are intended to be used for a short period and then thrown away. Single-use plastics are often used for packaging and convenience purposes due to their low cost, durability, and versatility. Examples of single-use plastic items include plastic bags, food and beverage containers, straws, cutlery, coffee stirrers, plastic bottles, and packaging materials like blister packs and shrink wrap. These items are typically made from materials like polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), polystyrene (PS), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

Q2) What are Scorpene class submarines?

The Scorpene class submarines are a class of diesel-electric attack submarines designed and developed by the French shipbuilding company Naval Group (formerly known as DCNS) in collaboration with the Spanish company Navantia. The Scorpene class submarines are known for their stealth capabilities, advanced technology, and versatility.

Source:  Series of pacts sealed as Modi & Macron hold talks in Paris, outline ‘bold, ambitious goals’  |  Ministry of External Affairs  |  MEA

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India’s Modi will meet with Putin on 2-day visit to Russia starting Monday, Kremlin says

FILE -Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo shaking hands prior to their talks on the sidelines of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, Sept. 16, 2022. The Kremlin on Thursday said Modi will visit Russia on July 8-9 and hold talks with Putin. The visit was first announced by the Russian officials last month, but the dates have not been previously disclosed. (Alexandr Demyanchuk, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

FILE- Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi pose for a photo prior to their talks on a sideline of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, June 13, 2019. The Kremlin on Thursday, July 4, 2024 said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on July 8-9 and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Grigory Sysoyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP, File)

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MOSCOW (AP) — The Kremlin on Thursday said Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia next Monday and Tuesday and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. The visit was first announced by Russian officials last month, but the dates have not been previously disclosed.

Russia has had strong ties with India since the Cold War, and New Delhi’s importance as a key trading partner for Moscow has grown since the Kremlin sent troops into Ukraine in February 2022. China and India have become key buyers of Russian oil following sanctions imposed by the U.S. and its allies that shut most Western markets for Russian exports.

Under Modi’s leadership, India has avoided condemning Russia’s action in Ukraine while emphasizing the need for a peaceful settlement.

The partnership between Moscow and New Delhi has become fraught, however, since Russia started developing closer ties with India’s main rival, China, because of the hostilities in Ukraine.

Modi on Thursday skipped the summit of a security grouping created by Moscow and Beijing to counter Western alliances.

Modi sent his foreign minister to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization at its annual meeting in Kazakhstan’s capital of Astana. The meeting is being attended by Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Indian media reports speculated that the recently reelected Modi was busy with the Parliament session last week.

Modi last visited Russia in 2019 for an economic forum in the far eastern port of Vladivostok. He last traveled to Moscow in 2015. Putin last met with Modi in September 2022 at a summit of the SCO in Uzbekistan. In 2021, Putin also traveled to New Delhi and held talks with the Indian leader.

Tensions between Beijing and New Delhi have continued since a confrontation in June 2020 along the disputed China-India border in which rival troops fought with rocks, clubs and fists. At least 20 Indian troops and four Chinese soldiers were killed.

After his reelection to a third straight term. Modi attended the G7 meeting in Italy’s Apulia region last month and addressed artificial intelligence, energy, and regional issues in Africa and the Mediterranean.

In the early 1990s, the Soviet Union was the source of about 70% of Indian army weapons, 80% of its air force systems and 85% of its navy platforms.

India bought its first aircraft carrier , INS Vikramaditya, from Russia in 2004. It had served in the former Soviet Union and later in the Russian navy.

With the Russian supply line hit by the fighting in Ukraine, India has been reducing its dependency on Russian arms and diversifying its defense procurements, buying more from the U.S., Israel, France and Italy.

Sharma reported from New Delhi.

Modi to focus on trade imbalance, Indian soldiers in talks with Putin

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US lawmaker says Israeli hostage photos were vandalized in protest

Democratic U.S. Representative Brad Schneider's office was targeted by what he called on Friday "a vile act of hate," after pro-Palestinian protesters demonstrated outside his office in the U.S. Capitol building and tore down posters of Israeli hostages held in Gaza.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin next week in first bilateral meet since re-election

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on July 8 and 9 to hold official talks with President Vladimir Putin. 

It is Mr Modi's first trip to the Kremlin in five years, and the leaders' first since they last met on the sidelines of a summit in Uzbekistan in 2022.

What's next?

India and Russia have shared a solid relationship built on weapons agreements for many years, but Moscow's tight-knit ties with Delhi's rival Beijing of late have created friction. 

The Kremlin says India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi will visit Russia on July 8 and hold talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. 

Russian officials first announced the visit last month, but the dates have not been previously disclosed until the Kremlin made the announcement, on Thursday, local time.

India and Russia have shared strong ties since the Cold War, but New Delhi's importance as a key trading partner for Moscow has grown since the Kremlin invaded Ukraine in February 2022. 

China and India have become key buyers of Russian oil following sanctions imposed by the US and its' allies that shut most Western markets for Russian exports.

Under Mr Modi's leadership, India has avoided condemning Russia's action in Ukraine while emphasising the need for a peaceful settlement.

The partnership between the nation has become fraught of late, however, since Russia started strengthening relations with China, India's main rival, over hostilities in Ukraine.

 On Thursday, Mr Modi skipped the summit of a security grouping created by Moscow and Beijing to counter Western alliances

He sent his foreign minister to the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) at its' annual meeting in Kazakhstan's capital of Astana, which is being attended by Mr Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Indian media reports speculated their recently re-elected prime minister was busy with the parliament session last week.

Relationship built on defence procurement

Mr Modi last visited Russia in 2019 for an economic forum in the far eastern port of Vladivostok. He last travelled to Moscow in 2015. 

The Indian and Russian leaders last met in September 2022 at a summit of the SCO in Uzbekistan. In 2021, Mr Putin also travelled to New Delhi and held talks with the Indian leader.

Tensions between Beijing and New Delhi have continued since a confrontation in June 2020 along the disputed China-India border in which rival troops fought with rocks, clubs and fists, where at least 20 Indian troops and four Chinese soldiers were killed.

After his re-election to a third straight term, Mr Modi attended the G7 meeting in Italy's Apulia region last month and addressed artificial intelligence, energy, and regional issues in Africa and the Mediterranean.

In the early 1990s, the Soviet Union was the source of about 70 per cent of Indian army weapons, 80 per cent of its air force systems and 85 per cent of its navy platforms.

India bought its first aircraft carrier, INS Vikramaditya, from Russia in 2004. It had served in the former Soviet Union and later in the Russian navy.

With the Russian supply line hit by the fighting in Ukraine, India has been reducing its dependency on Russian arms and diversifying its defence procurements, buying more from the US, Israel, France and Italy.

New arms deal signed ahead of visit

Russia's vast state-owned Rostec corporation said on Thursday its' weapons export unit had organised the production in India of armour-piercing rounds for Russian-made battle tanks.

The "Mango" projectiles that will be made in India are designed to be fired from the guns of T-72 and T-90 tanks which India's land forces use, Rostec said in a statement.

"The rounds allow you to hit modern tanks equipped with combined protection. Various modifications of these combat vehicles are in service with India."

Rostec said it also had plans to localise the production of gunpowder in India as part of the Indian government's drive to have more foreign goods made in India.

Moscow has long supplied the Indian military with equipment.

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PM Modi heads to Moscow next week; will meet Putin in first trip to Russia since Ukraine war

P rime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to embark on his first visit to Russia since the onset of the Ukraine conflict on July 8. His visit underscores India's delicate balancing act, as it navigates maintaining its longstanding alliance with Moscow while seeking closer security ties with Western nations.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in an official release on Thursday, "After concluding the trip to Russia, Modi will travel to Austria, which will be the first visit by an Indian prime minister to that country in 41 years."

Modi's last visit to Russia was in 2019, when he attended an economic conclave in the Far East city of Vladivostok.

Russia remains a crucial supplier of affordable oil and weaponry to India. However, Russia's strained relations with the West and its deepening alignment with China have influenced its traditional partnership with New Delhi over time.

Also Read: Indian man travelling to Italy ends up in Russia, sent to join Ukraine war by travel agent: Report

In recent years, the United States and its Western allies have strengthened relations with India as a counterbalance to Beijing's expanding influence in the Asia-Pacific region. Moreover, they have urged India to reduce its ties with Russia.

As reported by AFP , Russia's war in Ukraine has “transformed” ties with India, said Swasti Rao, from a think tank funded by India's defence ministry, the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses.

"There is no decline in goodwill between India and Russia per se," she said. "But there are challenges that have cropped up.

"These are external factors, which have been strong enough to bring in a paradigm shift in India-Russia bilateral issues," she added.

Nandan Unnikrishnan of the New Delhi-based Observer Research Foundation said the upcoming in-person meeting showed the two sides were looking for ways forward. “There have been pressures on India, and there have been pressures on the India-Russia relationship,” Unnikrishnan said, AFP reported.

Also Read: Mint Explainer: What Putin’s election victory means for India and the world

“Face-to-face interactions help in working out positions,” he added. “I'm sure Modi would like an assessment from Putin on the Ukraine war.”

New Delhi has refrained from explicitly condemning Russia for its invasion of Ukraine and has opted to abstain from United Nations resolutions criticizing Moscow.

However, Russia's military actions in Ukraine have also had a significant human impact on India. In February, India stated it was actively negotiating with Russia for the release of its citizens who had been recruited for "support jobs" with the Russian military. Reports had surfaced alleging that some of these individuals were compelled to engage in combat and had lost their lives in Ukraine.

India is a member of the Quad grouping alongside the United States, Japan, and Australia, which aims to counterbalance China's increasing assertiveness in the Asia-Pacific region.

Also Read: India, Iran may restart rail connectivity project between Chabahar and Zahedan

The United States and the European Union (EU) have accused China of supplying components and equipment to strengthen Russia's military capabilities. These allegations have been vehemently denied by Beijing.

That leaves India with a dilemma.

Their “relationship has to evolve”, said Rao.

"Some say India should strongly engage with Russia so it doesn't fall into the lap of China," said Rao. “Others would say, that ship has sailed,” AFP reported.

New Delhi and Moscow have forged a tight relationship since the Cold War, and Russia was for a long time India's biggest arms supplier.

But Ukraine has stretched Russia's arms supplies, and India is eyeing other sources -- including growing its own defence industry.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia's share of Indian weapons imports has shrunk considerably in recent years.

Also Read: India pivots away from Russian arms, but will retain strong ties

SIPRI said it dropped from 76 per cent in 2009-13 to 36 per cent in 2019-23, noting that France is now a close second, providing 33 per cent.

“India has instead looked to Western suppliers, most notably France and the USA, and its own arms industry,” SIPRI said, adding that its arms procurement plans “seemingly do not include any Russian options”.

Arms down, oil up

AFP reported citing Rao that the Ukraine war had “accelerated” India's push to diversify its defence purchases. “The Ukraine war has become one of grinding attrition,” she said.

“There are genuine concerns about Russia's export capabilities, and its focus and priorities.”

Also Read: Russia’s crude oil exports drop most in three months on port maintenance: What does this mean for India?

Simultaneously, India has emerged as a significant purchaser of discounted Russian oil, serving as a crucial export market for Moscow after it faced restrictions from its traditional buyers in Europe. This dynamic has fundamentally transformed energy relations, enabling India to save billions of dollars while also contributing to Russia's financial resources amid its ongoing conflict efforts.

India's month-on-month imports of Russian crude “increased by eight percent in May, to the highest levels since July 2023”, according to commodity tracking data compiled by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air.

“Russian crude comprised 41 percent of India's total crude imports in May, and with new agreements in place to conduct payments in rubles, the trade might grow significantly,” the research centre said.

However, India's increased purchase of discounted Russian oil has contributed to a trade deficit with Russia, which reached a little over $57 billion in the past financial year.

Also Read: India distances itself from Swiss summit on Ukraine-Russia war, says ’conflict requires sincere, practical...’

Following his visit to Moscow, Prime Minister Modi will proceed to Vienna. This marks the first visit by an Indian leader to the Austrian capital since Indira Gandhi's visit in 1983.

“This will be the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister to Austria in 41 years. He will call on President of the Republic of Austria Alexander Van der Bellen and hold talks with Chancellor of Austria Karl Nehammer,” the MEA said.

“The prime minister and Chancellor will also address business leaders from India and Austria,” it said in a statement.

(With inputs from AFP)

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Viktor Orban Meets Vladimir Putin, Dismaying E.U.

Days after a trip to Ukraine, the Hungarian leader arrived in Moscow for a visit, but E.U. officials made clear that he was not there on behalf of the bloc.

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By Anton Troianovski and Andrew Higgins

Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary met with President Vladimir V. Putin at the Kremlin on Friday, a rare trip to Russia by a Western leader and one that quickly stirred consternation in the European Union.

Mr. Orban made the trip three days after visiting President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in Kyiv, the Ukrainian capital. And it was the same week that Hungary took over the European Union’s rotating presidency, prompting other European leaders to quickly declare that Mr. Orban was not representing them in Moscow.

A spokesman for Mr. Orban, Zoltan Kovacs, said the Hungarian leader was in Moscow “as part of his peace mission.” Mr. Orban has made vague calls for a cease-fire and direct negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, a stance that leaders in both countries have rejected. He has publicly put forward no concrete plan for a settlement.

Mr. Putin and Mr. Orban met for more than two hours, but there were no signs that the talks had done anything to influence Mr. Putin. The Hungarian leader appeared to acknowledge as much, telling reporters afterward that the positions of Kyiv and Moscow “are very far apart.”

Mr. Putin standing next to Mr. Orban after their meeting, signaled he was not budging from the sweeping demands he made of Ukraine last month .

At the time, Mr. Putin said in a speech to Russian diplomats that he would be ready for a cease-fire only if Ukraine withdrew troops from the four regions that Moscow has claimed as its own and dropped its aspirations to join NATO.

“Our peace initiative was outlined quite recently,” Mr. Putin said on Friday. “The conditions for this, as I have already said, were set out in my speech at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.”

Mr. Orban, long an object of European chagrin for his embrace of far-right politics and of authoritarians like Mr. Putin, has said he wants to promote peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. Ukrainian leaders have rejected talks with Russia because they say that Mr. Putin would only seek their country’s capitulation.

It was the first time that a European Union leader had visited Russia for an official meeting with Mr. Putin since the first months of the Ukraine invasion. The Austrian chancellor, Karl Nehammer, made the trip in April 2022.

It was Mr. Orban’s second meeting with Mr. Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022. He last met the Russian leader in October in Beijing , telling him that Hungary “never wanted to confront Russia” and “has always been eager to expand contacts.”

His visit appeared to have been a last minute affair. It was not announced in advance, and Dmitri S. Peskov, Mr. Putin’s spokesman, told Russian state television that Hungary had proposed Mr. Orban’s visit just two days before he came.

Mr. Orban, who has won four elections in a row by casting his domestic rivals as traitors and warmongers beholden to Brussels, delights in defying his nominal allies in the European Union and NATO, which will be holding a summit meeting in Washington next week.

He presents himself as a maverick in the mold of former President Donald J. Trump, a go-it-alone defender of national interests heedless of establishment opinion. After his meeting with Mr. Putin, Mr. Orban defended his trip as a much-needed start of a dialogue.

“There are many steps that need to be taken to get closer to ending the war,” Mr. Orban said, according to a Russian translation of his remarks. “However, we took the most important step — we established contact.”

His trip to Moscow in defiance of the European Union’s policy of shunning Mr. Putin fits into a long pattern of Hungarian disdain for Europe’s fitful efforts to forge a joint foreign policy.

In recent months, Mr. Orban’s foreign minister, Peter Szijjarto, has repeatedly reached out to autocratic nations kept at arm’s length by Brussels. He has traveled to Belarus, which has been slapped with punishing European sanctions, and Iran, which also has frosty relations with Europe and is also under sanctions.

Other than vague public remarks calling for a “time-bounded cease-fire” during his visit on Tuesday to Kyiv, Mr. Orban has shed no light on how he envisages possible peace in Ukraine.

Ukraine and Russia are not known to have held direct peace negotiations since spring 2022, when weeks of intense talks broke down as both sides dug in on the battlefield. But they have occasionally engaged on specific matters like prisoner exchanges; each side released 75 prisoners of war on May 31 after several months without such exchanges.

Overall, the fight remains a war of attrition. While Russia regained some of the initiative on the battlefield in recent months, it has taken enormous casualties , and neither side appears to have the capacity to achieve a decisive breakthrough.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs released a statement Friday to reiterate that Mr. Orban made his trip to Moscow “without approval or coordination with Ukraine.”

Russia was not invited to a recent summit in Switzerland aimed at bolstering support for Ukraine’s negotiation positions but Mr. Zelensky has raised the possibility that the Kremlin could be invited to the next international gathering organized by Kyiv.

Mr. Orban’s trip was doubly provocative because Hungary this week took over the European Union’s rotating presidency, a largely clerical role with little real power but one that puts the country holding the six-month position in the spotlight.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz of Germany said that he had not known about Mr. Orban’s trip in advance and, and he was one of many to insist that the Hungarian leader was not representing the European Union.

“Appeasement will not stop Putin,” Ursula von der Leyen, the head of the European Commission, the bloc’s executive arm, wrote on X . “Only unity and determination will pave the path to a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.”

Prime Minister Donald Tusk of Poland addressed a social media post directly to Mr. Orban. “The rumours about your visit to Moscow cannot be true,” Mr. Tusk wrote , “or can they?”

Poland’s previous governing party, Law and Justice, a nationalist force that for years stood shoulder-to-shoulder with Mr. Orban in his battles with Brussels over immigration and other issues, has also been dismayed by Hungary’s outreach to the Kremlin.

In an interview on Thursday, Poland’s former conservative prime minister, Mateusz Morawiecki, voiced alarm at Mr. Orban’s friendly policy toward Russia and what he described as Hungary’s “peace mantra.”

This, he said had made Law and Justice reluctant to join a new Hungarian-led alliance in the European Parliament called Patriots for Europe, despite shared views on many other issues.

“Ukraine is a Rubicon, a kind of red line for us,” Mr. Morawiecki said. “Russia must not win this war.”

Almost all Western leaders have shunned meetings with Mr. Putin since Russia invaded Ukraine, seeking instead to isolate Mr. Putin on the world stage.

Outside the West, however, leaders have not been shy about sitting down with their Russian counterpart: Xi Jinping, China’s leader, met with Mr. Putin this week in Kazakhstan, and Prime Minister Narendra Modi of India is scheduled to visit Moscow next week.

Christopher F. Schuetze and Marc Santora contributed reporting.

Anton Troianovski is the Moscow bureau chief for The Times. He writes about Russia, Eastern Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia. More about Anton Troianovski

Andrew Higgins is the East and Central Europe bureau chief for The Times based in Warsaw. He covers a region that stretches from the Baltic republics of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania to Kosovo, Serbia and other parts of former Yugoslavia. More about Andrew Higgins

Our Coverage of the War in Ukraine

News and Analysis

Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary met with President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, a rare trip to Russia by a Western leader  and one that quickly stirred discord in the European Union.

The Russian authorities have arrested a top military colonel  and charged him with large-scale fraud, the state news agency TASS reported. The colonel was previously the commander of troops responsible for a 2022 massacre in the Ukrainian city of Bucha.

U.S. officials raised the security alert level  at military bases in Europe in response to vague threats from the Kremlin over Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons on Russian territory.

Evading Conscription: Fearful of a one-way ticket to bloody trench warfare, some Ukrainian men are spending their days holed up at home  to avoid draft officers who roam the streets.

Inside Russia’s Chechen Units: After hundreds of years of enmity with Russia, Chechens are deploying to Ukraine to fight Moscow’s war .

Narrowing Press Freedoms: Journalists in Ukraine say they are subject to increasing restrictions and pressure from the government , adding that the measures go beyond wartime security needs.

How We Verify Our Reporting

Our team of visual journalists analyzes satellite images, photographs , videos and radio transmissions  to independently confirm troop movements and other details.

We monitor and authenticate reports on social media, corroborating these with eyewitness accounts and interviews. Read more about our reporting efforts .