PM Modi's France Visit Focuses on Trade and Regional Security

From Trade Talks to Seafarers' Security in the Middle East: Foreign Secretary Misri Details PM Modi's France Visit

Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri on Thursday provided an overview of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's discussions during his visit to France for the G7 Summit, highlighting key developments in trade negotiations, regional security in West Asia, maritime safety, and India's engagement with global partners.

During a special briefing in Evian, Misri emphasized that trade was a central theme in PM Modi's bilateral meetings with leaders such as US President Donald Trump, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, European Union representatives, and UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer. Among the significant outcomes, Misri revealed that India and the United States are nearing the conclusion of an interim bilateral trade agreement.

“With the United States, we have made significant progress on an interim free trade bilateral agreement, which is now in its final stages. Next week, US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer will visit India to advance these discussions further,” Misri stated. He noted that trade was a major topic during PM Modi's meeting with President Trump, where both leaders reiterated their commitment to finalizing the agreement swiftly.

India's trade discussions extended to Canada, where both nations renewed efforts to finalize a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) by the end of the year. Misri highlighted that PM Modi and Canadian PM Mark Carney instructed their teams to expedite negotiations, building on recent discussions initiated by India's Commerce Minister during his visit to Canada.

Similarly, PM Modi's meeting with European Union leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to signing the India-EU Free Trade Agreement before the year’s end. Misri noted that both sides instructed their teams to take necessary steps to ensure the agreement’s timely completion. Additionally, the India-UK Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) was announced to come into force on July 15, marking another key milestone from PM Modi's engagements at the summit.

Beyond trade, PM Modi addressed pressing issues in West Asia, emphasizing India's desire for sustained peace and security in the region. Misri noted that India welcomed recent developments between the United States and Iran and expressed hope for a swift return to stability.

Maritime security was another focal point, with PM Modi highlighting the importance of global trade routes and the safety of seafarers amid regional tensions. Misri underscored India's role in ensuring freedom of navigation and unimpeded commerce in international waterways. PM Modi specifically drew attention to the contributions of Indian seafarers, emphasizing their pivotal role in global maritime trade and the need for their safety to be a shared global priority.

On the ongoing tensions involving Iran and Israel, Misri stated that India has maintained close contact with all relevant parties and expressed willingness to contribute to efforts aimed at restoring peace. He reaffirmed India's readiness to engage constructively with both Iran and Israel to support conflict resolution and stability in the region.

Finally, India endorsed three outcome documents adopted at the G7 Summit, addressing critical global issues such as cancer research, the Ebola outbreak in Africa, and the creation of safer digital spaces for minors.