NEW DELHI – French President Macron on Saturday said defence ties withIndia had reached a new high after the two nations signed a key securityaccord for the Indian Ocean to counter China’s growing influence in theregion.
French President Emmanuel Macron, who is in India on a four-day statevisit, met Prime Minister Narendra Modi and held delegation-level talks inthe national capital on Saturday.
“Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance,”Macron said as a gushing Prime Minister Narendra Modi stood by his side.
Under the deal, India and France will open their naval bases to warshipsfrom each other, a move seen as an attempt to undermine Chinas territorialambitions.
“A strong part of our security and the world`s stability is at stake in theIndian Ocean,” Macron said.
“The Indian Ocean, like the Pacific Ocean, cannot become a place ofhegemony,” he added in an apparent reference to China.
Modi, who welcomed Macron with a bear hug on his arrival Friday, said theaccord was crucial as the Indian Ocean region would play a “verysignificant role” in the days to come.
The comments from the leaders followed a slew of agreements signed by thetwo countries in the spheres of defence, space and clean energy.
“From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and Franceare not working together,” said Modi.
A technical agreement was also signed on the French-assisted nuclear powerproject at Jaitapur in western Maharashtra state.
Sources in the French presidency told news agency AFP they were optimisticof a final agreement being signed before the end of the year.
The $9.3-billion framework agreement for six nuclear reactors was signedduring a visit to India in 2010 by then-president Nicolas Sarkozy.
But the project has since run into stiff opposition from environmentalistsconcerned about seismic activity in the area and fears about the safety ofnuclear power in the wake of the Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.
Earlier in the day, Macron talked about his personal rapport with Modiwhich was established after their meeting in Paris last year.
“I think we have very good chemistry, our two great democracies have ahistoric relationship,” the French president said.
Modi broke protocol to receive Macron at the airport, exchanging warm hugsand robust handshakes.
“You welcomed me in Paris last year with an open heart and a lot of warmth.I am happy that I have got an opportunity to welcome you in India,” Modisaid at the start of his speech Saturday.
On Sunday, Macron will attend a solar power summit designed to showcaseIndia and France`s commitment to fighting climate change, which bothleaders have made a priority.
Travelling with his wife Brigitte, France`s 40-year-old president will alsovisit the monument to love, the Taj Mahal, a few hours drive from theIndian capital on Sunday.
On Monday, he heads to the chaotic Hindu holy city of Varanasi on the banksof the river Ganges, which the Indian premier has promised to modernise andclean up.
Macron’s visit comes after a somewhat misstep-laden visit to India byCanadian prime minister Justin Trudeau.
Both he and Macron are often compared internationally because of theirbroadly similar political views, as well as youth and good looks.
But Trudeau’s visit hit a series of embarrassing bumps and he received afairly cool reception during his stay in India.
Trudeau was pilloried on social media and in the Canadian press for donningtraditional Indian clothing at every opportunity.
And there were red faces when it emerged a former Sikh militant was invitedto a dinner with him in Mumbai.
Macron has so far opted for more sober and predictable dress — a dark suit.- APP/AFP