Picture : ANI / X
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to bolster strategic defence cooperation, with a heightened emphasis on promoting India’s ‘Make in India’ initiative.
As per ANI report, PM Modi and French President Macron held a bilateral meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy. France is India’s closest strategic partner in Europe and the two sides have built up close cooperation, especially in security and defence.
India is presently in negotiations with France to acquire 26 Rafale jets for the Indian Navy and earlier purchased 36 jets for the Indian Air Force under a 2016 deal worth Euro 7.87 billion. Notably, India is participating in the Group of Seven (G7) Summit as an outreach country.
The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy’s Apulia region from June 13-15. PM Modi is attending the summit at the invitation of Italian PM Giorgia Meloni.
This was PM Modi’s fourth meeting with President Macron in one year. They also discussed ways to encourage innovation and research among the youth.
