Describing India’s G20 Presidency as a significant positive development in today’s fragmented world, French President Emmanuel Macron stated on Sunday that “this G20 reaffirms once again the international isolation of Russia.”
The G20 New Delhi Leaders’ Declaration, adopted on Saturday, did not explicitly mention Russian “aggression” or issue a direct “condemnation” of Russia’s actions in the Ukraine conflict. Instead, it called upon all nations to “refrain from the threat or use of force to seek territorial acquisition against the territorial integrity and sovereignty or political independence of any state.”
During a joint press conference held after his bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Macron emphasized the importance of preserving global balances in the current geopolitical landscape. He stressed the need to resist the growing fragmentation of the world and work collaboratively to find meaningful solutions for global challenges.
Macron acknowledged that the G20 was not the forum where diplomatic progress on the Ukraine conflict was expected. He highlighted that the G20 once again underscored Russia’s isolation, with an overwhelming majority of G20 members condemning the war in Ukraine and its consequences.
Following the meeting between Macron and Modi, a joint statement by India and France expressed their commitment to strengthening defense cooperation. They called for the early finalization of the Defense Industrial Roadmap, emphasizing collaboration in the design, development, testing, and production of advanced defense technologies and platforms, including for third countries in the Indo-Pacific and beyond.
France reaffirmed its unwavering support for India’s membership in the Nuclear Suppliers Group (NSG), highlighting their strong strategic partnership. Macron’s visit to India for the G20 Summit occurred just two months after Modi’s visit to Paris in July, where he was the Guest of Honour for the French National Day, marking the 25th anniversary of the India-France strategic partnership.
In recent years, France has emerged as a key defense partner for India. In July, both nations announced their collaboration on the joint development of a combat aircraft engine and an engine for the Indian Multi-Role Helicopter (IMRH), which is being designed and developed by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).