Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron over the phone to discuss the worsening crisis in West Asia. The two leaders exchanged views on the rapidly changing security situation and emphasised the importance of diplomacy to ease tensions.
Sharing details of the conversation, Modi said the leaders agreed that dialogue remains essential to restore stability in the region.
“Spoke with my friend President Emmanuel Macron today. We discussed our shared concerns over the evolving situation in West Asia and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” PM Modi said in a post on X.
He also stressed that India and France would continue to stay in close contact and work together to support peace efforts.
He added that the two countries would “continue to engage closely and coordinate efforts towards the early restoration of peace and stability in the region.”
France Strengthens Military Presence
The discussion between the leaders came as France began repositioning its military assets in response to the escalating conflict.
President Macron ordered the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean Sea. The deployment aims to protect allied military and strategic assets in the region.
The aircraft carrier will travel with a group of escort frigates and will operate with its full air wing. France has also deployed Dassault Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems and airborne radar platforms to support the mission.
“And we will continue this effort as much as necessary," Macron said.
France Says It Acted in Self-Defence
Although France, the United Kingdom and Germany have stated that they were not directly involved in the recent US-Israeli strikes on Iran, Macron said Paris is prepared to defend its allies if required.
He revealed that French forces had intercepted and destroyed drones during the early phase of the conflict.
French forces shot down drones “in legitimate self-defence in the very first hours of the conflict, to defend the airspace of our allies, who know they can rely on us," he said, without giving operational details.
Cyprus Strike Prompted Carrier Deployment
Macron also explained that a strike on a British air force base in Cyprus played a major role in the decision to move the carrier strike group.
Cyprus, a member of the European Union, recently signed a strategic partnership agreement with France, which increased cooperation between the two countries on security and defence matters.
Modi Calls for Dialogue to End Conflicts
Earlier, Modi also spoke about rising global tensions during a joint press conference with Finnish President Alexander Stubb.
The Indian prime minister said the world is currently facing a period of uncertainty and instability due to ongoing conflicts in different regions.
“Today, the world is passing through a phase of instability and uncertainty. From Ukraine to West Asia, conflict persists in many parts of the world. India and Finland, both, believe in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy. We are in agreement that no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone. Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support the swift end of conflicts and every effort towards peace," PM Modi said.