NEW DELHI: PM Narendra Modi Saturday discussed ongoing efforts to end the Ukraine conflict with French President Emmanuel Macron, in what was their second conversation in the past few weeks. Macron briefed Modi about the Coalition of the Willing meeting in Paris this week that discussed security guarantees for Ukraine, including “reassurance forces” with support from the US.Modi said on X the India-France Strategic Partnership will continue to play a key role in fostering global peace and stability. “Had a very good conversation with President Macron. We reviewed and positively assessed the progress in bilateral cooperation in various areas. Exchanged views on international and regional issues, including efforts for bringing an early end to the conflict in Ukraine,” said Modi. He reiterated India’s consistent support for peaceful resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace and stability. Macron said he discussed the outcome of “the work we carried out with President Zelensky and our partners of the Coalition of the Willing last Thursday in Paris”. “India and France share the same determination to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine. Building on our friendship and our strategic partnership, we will continue moving forward together to trace this path toward peace,” said Macron. Led by the US and France, the coalition comprises 31 countries that are seeking enhanced military support for Ukraine to blunt Russian aggression. Twenty-six of these countries have apparently agreed to send troops to Ukraine as part of a reassurance force.Modi thanked Macron for accepting the invitation to the AI Impact Summit to be hosted by India in Feb 2026.”The two leaders reviewed and positively assessed the developments in bilateral cooperation across different sectors including economic, defence, science, technology and space. The leaders also reaffirmed their commitment towards further strengthening of the India-France Strategic Partnership, in line with the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, Indo-Pacific Roadmap and the Defence Industrial Roadmap,” said an Indian readout.
