PM Modi Meets President Macron in Johannesburg, Says India–France Partnership a “Force for Global Good”

Johannesburg, Nov 2025 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday reaffirmed the strength and global significance of India–France relations during a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg. Calling the interaction “engaging and productive,” PM Modi said the partnership between the two nations continues to contribute meaningfully toward global stability and progress.

“Delighted to meet President Macron during the Johannesburg G20 Summit. We had an engaging exchange on different issues. India–France ties remain a force for global good,” the Prime Minister posted on X after the meeting.

The leaders’ discussion in Johannesburg builds on a series of high-level exchanges in recent months. In September, Modi and Macron held a phone conversation where they reviewed international developments, particularly the conflict in Ukraine. Both leaders reiterated India’s consistent position favouring dialogue, diplomacy, and a peaceful resolution. A similar exchange took place in August, during which the two coordinated views to help advance a “just and lasting peace” in the region.

Beyond geopolitical issues, the two leaders have been actively reviewing progress across various dimensions of the India–France Strategic Partnership. Their conversations in recent months have welcomed positive developments in economic cooperation, defence collaboration, science and technology initiatives, and space partnership programmes. They also reaffirmed commitments under the Horizon 2047 Roadmap, the Indo-Pacific Roadmap, and the Defence Industrial Roadmap—frameworks aimed at deeper, long-term bilateral engagement.

In earlier discussions, PM Modi thanked President Macron for accepting India’s invitation to attend the AI Impact Summit in February 2026. Macron, in an August 21 post on X, highlighted the importance of strengthening strategic and economic ties and noted that close cooperation between the two nations would play a central role in shaping future global governance.

“On trade issues, we agreed to strengthen our economic exchanges and our strategic partnership in all areas — this is the key to our sovereignty and independence. Following up on the AI Action Summit held in Paris last February, we are working towards the success of the AI Impact Summit to be held in New Delhi in 2026. For more effective multilateralism, we agreed to work closely together in preparation for the French presidency of the G7 and the Indian presidency of the BRICS in 2026,” Macron had said.

The meeting with Macron was one of several high-level bilateral engagements PM Modi held on Saturday. The Prime Minister also met South Korean President Lee Jae-Myung, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, Brazilian President Inacio Lula da Silva, and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, among others.

In addition, PM Modi—alongside Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney—announced the launch of the Australia-Canada-India Technology and Innovation (ACITI) Partnership. The initiative aims to deepen trilateral collaboration in emerging technologies, supply chains, clean energy, and artificial intelligence.

The interactions in Johannesburg underscored India’s active engagement with global leaders and its commitment to strengthening partnerships across continents ahead of a pivotal year for multilateral diplomacy in 2026.