India, France reiterate resolve to jointly fight terrorism
Modi extends condolences to Strasbourg terror attack victims
NEW DELHI: India and France on Saturday reiterated their resolve to jointly fight the global scourge of terrorism following delegation- level talks headed by External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Jean-yves Le Drian.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday extended his condolences to the victims of a terror attack in France earlier this week when Le Drian called on him here.
“The prime minister conveyed his heartfelt condolences for the victims of the recent terrorist attack in Strasbourg in France, and said that India stands with France in the fight against terrorism,” the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said in a statement.
According to the PMO statement, Modi also warmly recalled the state visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India in March, as well as their recent interaction on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Argentina.
“In our talks today, we reiterated
our resolve to continue our fight against terrorism,” Sushma Swaraj said in a joint address to the media with Le Drian after the talks.
“Cooperation among us in this field is also there in international forums like the FATF (Financial Action Task Force),” she said.
Le Drian said that India knows in France it has a partner that has never failed it and on which it can count on in the future.
“This holds true on the strategic front, notably with the strengthening of our exchanges on the Indian Ocean, which today are fast developing, and our shared commitment to fighting terrorism, as we mark 10 years since the deadly Mumbai attacks,” he said.
In her address, Sushma Swaraj said that both India and France were implementing their outlined action in joint strategic vision cooperation in the Indian Ocean region.
“THIS will not only Beneit INDIA AND France, but also other countries and stakeholders in this area,” she stated.
She also described defence cooperation between India and France as “historical and comprehensive.” “It includes institutional exchanges, joint production, joint military exercises and training,” she said.
“As you know, our Defence Minister (Nirmala Sitharaman) visited France in October which was very useful.