India-France cooperation ranges 'from the ground to the sky': PM Modi

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday sought to underline the wide-ranging bilateral cooperation between India and France, saying that "from the ground to the sky, there is no subject" in which the two countries are not working together.
"From the ground to the sky, there is no subject on which India and France are not working together," said PM Modi, while issuing a joint statement with French president Emmanuel Macron.

His remarks came minutes after the two countries exchanged and signed 14 agreements. The bilateral cooperation between India and France includes the spheres of "defence, space, high technology," shared PM Modi.

He said that India welcomed French investments in the defence sector under the 'Make In India' initiative.

"Our strategic partnership may just be 20 years old, but the spiritual partnership between our countries is centuries old," the PM emphasised.

PM Modi also sought to stress the shared values between the two countries: "Liberty, equality and fraternity not only echo in France but are also deeply embedded in India's Constitution."
He highlighted the important role of the Indian Ocean region in the coming time.

"In the future, the Indian Ocean region is going to have a huge role to play for peace, harmony and prosperity."

The PM expressed hope for a "successful" International Solar Alliance summit "for the future of planet Earth." The summit, co-hosted by India and France, will be attended by the heads of 23 nations and 10 ministerial representatives of different countries on Sunday.

The French president concurred with PM Modi's observations, remarking: "Defence cooperation between the two countries now has a new significance."

"India and France have decided to work together to deal with threats of terrorism and radicalisation," said Macron.

French President Macron arrived in India on a four-day visit yesterday.




(With inputs from agencies)