'Nations are stronger together’: PM Modi, Macron hail India-France 'friendship' at G20

PM Modi hugs France's President Macron (R) next to German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (L) as they attend a family picture event during the G20 Leaders' Summit at the Nasrec Expo Centre in Johannesburg on November 22.

French President Emmanuel Macron and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, on Saturday, reaffirmed the strength of India-France relations during their meeting on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg.

After the bilateral discussion, PM Modi took to microblogging site X, calling the interaction “warm and productive” and highlighting that India-France ties “remain a force for global good.”

Delighted to meet President Macron during the Johannesburg G20 Summit. We had an engaging exchange on different issues. India–France ties remain a force for global good!@EmmanuelMacron pic.twitter.com/SZap6iGAWR

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— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 22, 2025

“Delighted to meet President Macron during the Johannesburg G20 Summit. We had an engaging exchange on different issues. India–France ties remain a force for global good!” he posted on X.

Later, President Macron followed with his own message, thanking PM Modi and emphasising the strength of the partnership

Thank you, my friend, dear @NarendraModi. Nations are stronger when they move forward together. Long live the friendship between our countries! https://t.co/pXWygKjL4d

— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) November 22, 2025

“Thank you, my friend, dear Narendra Modi. Nations are stronger when they move forward together. Long live the friendship between our countries!” he posted on X.

Earlier, addressing the second session of the G20 Leaders’ Summit, PM Modi stressed the need for stronger global cooperation on disaster preparedness and response. Pointing to the increasing frequency and severity of natural disasters, he described them as a growing global threat.

“Natural disasters continue to pose a major challenge to humanity. This year as well, they have impacted a large portion of the global population. These events clearly highlight the need to strengthen international cooperation for effective disaster preparedness and response,” he said.

PM Modi recalled that India had established the Disaster Risk Reduction Working Group during its G20 presidency in 2023 to advance global collaboration in the field and lauded South Africa for keeping the issue at the forefront. “I also congratulate South Africa for giving priority to this important agenda,” he added.

Calling for a shift from a “response-centric” to a “development-centric” model of resilience-building, the Prime Minister highlighted India’s belief that space technology should serve humanity as a whole. He proposed the creation of a G20 Open Satellite Data Partnership to make satellite data from G20 space agencies more widely accessible, with particular benefit for the Global South.

(With inputs from agencies)