Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron engaged in a phone conversation on Thursday, August 21, 2025, primarily to address the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia. Both leaders expressed their commitment to seeking peaceful resolutions and emphasized the importance of restoring stability in the concerned regions.
During the call, President Macron shared insights from his recent discussions with European, American, and Ukrainian leaders in Washington, as well as his observations on the escalating humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Modi reiterated India's consistent stance that dialogue and diplomacy are the only viable paths to achieving lasting peace, as opposed to war. He stressed the need for an early restoration of stability in both Ukraine and West Asia. Macron also briefed Modi on meetings between European, American, and Ukrainian leaders in Washington.
Beyond addressing the geopolitical challenges, the two leaders also reviewed the progress in India-France bilateral cooperation across various sectors, including defense, civil nuclear energy, technology, and trade. They reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership between the two nations. In a move to further boost collaboration in emerging technologies, 2026 was declared as the "Year of Innovation". Both leaders also pledged to work towards the early conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
Macron and Modi also addressed global governance, noting that India and France would coordinate closely in preparation for the French presidency of the G7 and India's presidency of BRICS, both scheduled for 2026.
The conversation occurred amidst a backdrop of heightened diplomatic engagement concerning the Ukraine crisis. Macron had recently participated in discussions with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and US President Donald Trump, following Trump's meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. These meetings, however, did not yield any immediate signs of progress. Macron stated that he and Modi coordinated their positions on the conflict in Ukraine, emphasizing the need for a just and lasting peace with strong guarantees for Ukraine and Europe's security.
Furthermore, the call transpired at a time when India is facing increasing pressure from the United States regarding its continued imports of Russian oil. The United States has recently imposed tariffs of up to 50% on a range of Indian goods, contributing to existing trade tensions.
