Indo-French relationship is of 'existential nature': French Envoy

Ahead of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to France, outgoing French envoy in India Alexandre Ziegler said relationship between two countries is of an almost "existential nature" and goes beyond ecomic interests.

PM Modi will pay a two-day state visit to France from August 22 during which he will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron to strengn strategic ties in key sectors such as defence, nuclear energy, maritime cooperation, and counterterrorism.

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From France, prime minister will proceed for bilateral visits to UAE and Bahrain and will return to French city of Biarritz on August 25 to attend G7 Summit, where India has been invited as a partner country.

"We are t living in an easy period. markers on which we had built our international system over 70 years are falling apart before our very eyes or are deeply challenged: values like democracy, adherence to international law, multilateralism, desire to cooperate toger when we need to face new challenges of world, such as climate change, terrorism, or internet governance," he said at his farewell reception.

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"Let's be realistic. Perhaps in a few years, re will be a dozen or maybe less major countries in world with which we, French and Europeans, will be able to forge alliances to protect and reform this international order. India will obviously be among se countries. I see in this observation one of most absolute justifications of our partnership with India," French envoy said. 

He also said that beyond diplomatic slogans, he believes in almost "existential nature" of Indo-French relationship. "Of course, re are ecomic and strategic interests for France in this country, and y are huge. But re's far more than this," he said.

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