Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday discussed the Ukraine conflict with French President Emmanuel Macron in a telephonic conversation.
"The Head of State and the Prime Minister of India exchanged views on the Russian-led war in Ukraine and its destabilising consequences for the rest of the world. The President of the French Republic underlined France's determination to continue its support for Ukraine, and the two leaders agreed to work together to bring the conflict to an end," read a communique issued by the French President's Office. The two leaders also reaffirmed the importance of the international community acting in a coordinated manner in the face of the food crisis.
"In this respect, the two leaders stressed the relevance of the framework offered by the FARM initiative to guarantee transparency in agricultural markets and prevent speculative behaviour, to help the populations most threatened by food insecurity, and to strengthen the agricultural sovereignty of countries by further boosting their local production," added the readout.
FARM's objective is to prevent the catastrophic effects, on global food security, of the war Russia is waging in Ukraine.
The initiative is based on three pillars: A trade pillar to ease tensions in the agricultural markets, guarantee full transparency on flows and stocks and combat unjustified trade barriers; A solidarity pillar to support Ukraine's agricultural capabilities, ensure access to agricultural commodities at reasonable prices in the countries most affected, and prepare to alleviate the war's effects on the level of agricultural production; and A production pillar to strengthen agricultural capabilities sustainably in the countries most affected.
President Macron and Prime Minister Modi also discussed bilateral relations between their two countries, whose positive momentum continues.
The Head of State welcomed India's announcements on a new nationally determined contribution and underscored France's full support for enhancing India's climate ambition.
They also discussed the challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and the situation in Sri Lanka and added the readout.
Both leaders discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation under the India-France Strategic Partnership and other issues of global and regional significance.
"Spoke to my friend President @EmmanuelMacron today. Conveyed India's solidarity with France in dealing with the devastating wildfires. We discussed ongoing bilateral cooperation under the India-France Strategic Partnership, and other issues of global and regional significance," PM Modi said in a tweet.
A PMO release said that during the phone conversation, the two leaders reviewed ongoing bilateral initiatives including defence cooperation projects and cooperation in civil nuclear energy.
"Prime Minister conveyed his solidarity to President Macron for the ongoing drought and wildfires in France," the release said.
The two leaders expressed satisfaction at the depth and strength that the India-France Strategic Partnership has acquired in recent years and agreed to continue working closely together to expand the relationship to new areas of cooperation.
Macron had on Monday congratulated the people of India on the 76th Independence Day.
(ANI)
Dharavi slum in Mumbai
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)