PM Modi in France: Days after French firm exits submarine project, meeting with President Macron

In the final leg of his Europe trip, Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in France and met President Emmanuel Macron. The two leaders met with a warm hug before proceeding for discussions at the Elysee palace.

Modi and Macron had a one-on-one conversation before delegation-level talks. The Russia-Ukraine war is believed to have been one of the biggest issues on the table.

The West wants India to join it in imposing penalties on Russia for attacking Ukraine. While the West wants to replace Russia as one of India's leading defence equipment providers, a development before the Modi-Macron meeting did not inspire confidence.

Also watch: Ahead of Prime Minister's visit, deal with France for manufacture of submarine fizzles out

Days before the two leaders' meeting, France's Naval Group pulled out of India's P75I project under which 6 conventional submarines are to be built in India for the Indian Navy.