India and France have called for “an immediate cessation of hostilities” in Ukraine, with India’s Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, almost on the verge of condemning Russia’s invasion on its neighbour.

India, which imports much of its military hardware from Russia, long walked a diplomatic tightrope between the West and Moscow, notably refusing to denounce the latter or vote against it at the United Nations over its actions in Ukraine.

Modi and French President, Emmanuel Macron, noted, in a joint statement after they met in Paris for talks and a working dinner, that “France and India expressed their deep concern over the humanitarian crisis and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine”.

“Both countries unequivocally condemned the fact that civilians have been killed in Ukraine, and called for an immediate cessation of hostilities in order for the two sides to come together to promote dialogue and diplomacy, and to put an immediate end to the suffering of the people.”
Statement from both French and Indian Leaders

Lone Condemnation by France

However, only France condemned “Russian forces’ illegal and unjustified aggression against Ukraine”. But the two countries in one accord, disclosed that they would “respond in a coordinated and multilateral way” to the risk the conflict would pose, as it will intensify a global food crisis. Per research, Ukraine and Russia are among the world’s main wheat producers.

Ahead of the meeting, Prime Minister Modi was informed by Macron’s office that he (Mr. Macron) would “emphasise the consequences of the war for the international order well beyond the European Union, including in Asia”. The statement also noted that France wants to “help the Indians diversify their supply” away from Russian arms and energy. In finding out the aim of this move, Macron’s Office noted that “it is not to leave the Indians with no way out, but to offer solutions”.

Prime Minister Modi, who is on a European tour, told reporters after meeting with German Chancellor, Olaf Scholz in Berlin on Monday, May 2, 2022, that “there won’t be any winners in this war and everyone will lose”.

A Trusting Relationship

According to Elysee Palace (the official residence of the French President), Macron has an “extremely warm relationship” with Modi, who has visited France three times since 2017, while the French Leader went to India in 2018. Modi invited Macron to visit India again to deepen cooperation on defence technology and the transition to clean energy.

The two men embraced and posed for photographs when Modi arrived in the courtyard of the Elysee Palace, where he was also greeted by Macron’s wife, Brigitte. Going into the meeting, officials described France’s relationship with India as “trusting”, and the joint statement reaffirmed the two countries’ desire to strengthen the “strategic Franco-Indian partnership, particularly in the Indo-Pacific”.

India securing France’s place in the region is important after Britain, the United States and Australia last year (2021) sealed their AUKUS (a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States) security pact, and dumped a lucrative French contract to supply Canberra’s (Australia’s capital) next generation of submarines along the way.

So far, India has bought dozens of French Rafale fighter jets and six submarines, as well as cooperating with Paris on civil nuclear projects. French state-owned energy giant, EDF wants to build six next-generation EPR reactors in Jaitapur on India’s West Coast.

The Elysee hinted that it is pushing hard to get that deal signed, fitting in with Macron’s vow ahead of his re-election last month (April 2022) to renew France’s nuclear industry and replace its fleet of ageing power plants.