PM Modi, French President Macron hold phone call, discuss conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia

Prime Minister Narendra Modi during a meeting with the French President Emmanuel Macron PTI

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said he had a “very good conversation” with French President Emmanuel Macron, highlighting their discussions on key global challenges.

Taking to X, PM Modi noted that the two leaders exchanged views on ongoing efforts for the peaceful resolution of conflicts in Ukraine and West Asia.

He added that both sides reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the India–France strategic partnership, underscoring the deepening cooperation between New Delhi and Paris on regional and global issues.

Macron also posted about the discussion via his official X handle.  Tagging PM, Macron said, "I have just spoken with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. We coordinated our positions on the war in Ukraine in order to move towards a just and lasting peace, with strong guarantees for Ukraine and Europe’s security."

The French President also said, "On trade issues, we agreed to strengthen our economic exchanges and our strategic partnership in all areas — this is the key to our sovereignty and independence."

"Following up on the AI Action Summit held in Paris last February, we are working towards the success of the AI Impact Summit to be held in New Delhi in 2026. For more effective multilateralism, we agreed to work closely together in preparation for the French presidency of the G7 and the Indian presidency of the BRICS in 2026," French President further added.

I have just spoken with Prime Minister @NarendraModi.

We coordinated our positions on the war in Ukraine in order to move towards a just and lasting peace, with strong guarantees for Ukraine and Europe’s security.

On trade issues, we agreed to strengthen our economic exchanges…

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— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) August 21, 2025

The phone call comes days after Macron and other European leaders held Ukraine peace talks in Washington. While there has been no relief on the ground, US President Donald Trump maintains that should be trilateral discussion between the two Presidents of Russia and Ukraine to end the war that has entered its fourth year.

Previously, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron had met on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Italy in June this year, where they reviewed the India–France bilateral partnership.

Their discussions centred on the ‘Horizon 2047’ Roadmap and the Indo-Pacific Roadmap, covering a wide spectrum of cooperation in defence, nuclear, space, education, climate action, digital public infrastructure, connectivity, and cultural exchanges, including the National Museum partnership to boost people-to-people ties.

The leaders agreed to further intensify strategic defence cooperation with a stronger emphasis on ‘Make in India’. They also resolved to broaden collaboration in artificial intelligence, critical and emerging technologies, energy, and sports, while working closely together in the run-up to the AI Summit and the United Nations Oceans Conference, both of which France will host in 2025.