India, France to jointly work on climate change

Simran Sodhi

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, June 3

India and France today cemented their bilateral ties as Prime Minister Narendra Modi held talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris.

The two leaders also renewed their commitment to climate change, indicating that Europe and India, along with other nations are willing to move forward on the 2015 Paris Climate Change Agreement even as the US retreats from its international obligations.

Modi said climate and terrorism were two major threats in front of humanity. France extended its support to India in its fight against terrorism. The threat of terrorism has been a consistent theme in Modi’s Europe tour wherein his talks in Germany, Russia, Spain and now France, the PM has sought to bring global attention to the terrorism and also seek support from Europe on the issue.

On the Paris deal, both leaders seemed to be on the same page. Modi said: “Paris agreement reflects our duty towards protecting the Earth and our natural resources. For us, this is an article of faith.”

Macron supported Modi’s vision and said: “France is committed to fighting climate change and will continue not only within framework of Paris accord but also in actions we are implementing.”

Reaching out to France, the PM said: “Our nations have been working together for a very long time, bilaterally and multilaterally. Be it trade and technology, innovation and investment, energy, education and enterprise, we want to give a boost to India-France ties. We want to improve the cultural relations between India and France. Several Indians fought in the two world wars for world peace.”

This is the first meeting between Modi and Macron. The International Solar Alliance is another project on which India and France are cooperating closely and Macron is also expected to travel to India later this year when he will convene a meeting of the world solar alliance.