India and France on Saturday agreed to further deepen their cooperation to tackle the challenge posed by terrorism and extremism as Prime Minister Narendra Modi met newly-elected French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.
The Prime Minister, who arrived at Paris on the last leg of four-nation tour of Germany, Spain, Russia and France, held wide-ranging talks with Macron at the presidential Elysee Palace.
Speaking at a joint Press event, the two leaders voiced concern over the growing threat of terrorism worldwide.
“Terrorism is one of the biggest challenges the world is facing today,” said Modi, adding that France understands the threat posed by the menace.
He said terrorism is visible and it affects entire world, including France and India. “World needs to unite to defeat the menace of terrorism,” Modi said.
Macron said that the issues of tackling terrorism were discussed at length during his talks with Modi and France fully supports India’s fight against terrorism.
The two countries agreed to fight terrorism in all its forms, he added.
Modi said India and France enjoy deep-rooted ties and the two nations have been working together for a very long time, bilaterally and multilaterally.
“Be it trade and technology, innovation and investment, energy, education and enterprise, we want to give a boost to India-France ties,” the Prime Minister said.
He also expressed interest in improving the cultural relations between India and France.
Modi said several Indians fought in the first two world wars for world peace.
Macron thanked Indian soldiers for their sacrifices for France’s freedom during World Wars.
On US President Donald Trump announcement to withdraw from the Paris climate change deal on curbing carbon emissions, which had been agreed by more than 190 nations, Modi said India will ‘go above and beyond’ to protect climate. He termed the Paris climate agreement as a shared legacy of the world.
Modi said the Paris Agreement reflects “our duty towards protecting the Earth and our natural resources. For us, this is an article of faith.”
“Paris climate agreement is a shared legacy of the world. It will benefit the future generations as well,” Modi said addressing a joint Press event with Macron.
India would “continue working on this...Above and beyond the Paris accord,” the Prime Minister said.
“We have natural resources because our previous generations protected these resources. We must do the same for our future generations,” Modi said.
Earlier, Modi and Macron travelled together to the famous landmark to pay homage to the Indians who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
“lest we forget. PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron jointly lay wreath at Arc de Triomphe in memory of Indians who died for France,” Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Gopal Baglay tweeted.
“Together to landmarks! PM @narendramodi and President @EmmanuelMacron travel together to pay homage at Arc de Triomphe,” Baglay said in a tweet.
Modi also invited the French President to visit India.
Macron accepted the invitation and said he will be travelling to India by end of the year and the two sides will convene a meeting of the world solar alliance.
Earlier, Macron greeted Prime Minister Modi with a bear hug in the courtyard of the presidential Elysee Palace when he arrived for the meeting and working lunch.
France is India’s 9th largest investment partner. France is also a key partner in India’s development initiatives in areas like defence, space, nuclear and renewable energy, urban development and railways.
Modi had also called up Macron to congratulate him on his poll victory and said he looked forward to work with him to further deepen the bilateral ties.
39-year-old Macron created history last month by becoming the youngest president of France.