French President Emmanuel Macron and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi agreed on Tuesday to “work together to end the conflict” in Ukraine, the Elysee Palace said in a statement.
The two leaders spoke by phone about “the war led by Russia in Ukraine and its destabilizing consequences for the rest of the world,” according to the French presidency.
Emmanuel Macron, who received the Indian prime minister in Paris in May, underlined France’s “determination to continue supporting Ukraine”. India has refrained from openly condemning the Russian invasion of Ukraine and from joining the vote to that effect at the UN.
However, in June they jointly signed a G7 declaration committing to “respect the territorial integrity and sovereignty of other states.”
Sri Lanka on the discussion menu
The two leaders also discussed the “challenges in the Indo-Pacific space as well as the situation in Sri Lanka.”
A Chinese research vessel docked at the Chinese-run port of Hambantota in Sri Lanka on Tuesday, despite concerns from India and the United States that China may be engaging in espionage activities.
India is concerned about China’s growing influence in Sri Lanka, which has borrowed heavily over the years from Beijing to develop major infrastructure projects.
Source: BFM TV
