India, France vow to fight jointly combat terrorism

New Delhi [India], November 17 (ANI): India and France on Friday reiterated the commitment to jointly combat terrorism and strengthen the "exceptional" strategic partnership between the two countries.

After holding a meeting with visiting French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj said, "We decided that the two countries have to come together and resolve to remove this (terrorism) evil."

In an oblique reference to Pakistan, Swaraj said, "We have made an appeal to all the countries of the world that they should collectively protest against all nations who provide sanctuary to terrorism, finance terrorism, and support terrorism."

While French foreign minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said, "On matters such as combating terrorism, maritime security, cooperation in the Indian Ocean, we have a complete commonality of views, which calls for the strengthening of our partnership."

Highlighting the "strong" bilateral ties, Swaraj said defence, space and civil nuclear cooperation constitute the three principal pillars of their strategic partnership.

The French foreign minister echoed the same feeling and said their defence partnership was well known through Rafale fighter jet and Scorpene submarine deals.

Both sides also agreed on addressing climate change and promoting secure, affordable and sustainable supplies of energy.

Le Drian arrived in India on a two-day visit to lay the groundwork for the visit of the French President Emmanuel Macron, which will take place early next year during the summit of the International Solar Alliance (ISA).

The ISA is conceived as a coalition of solar resource rich countries to address their special energy needs and will provide a platform to collaborate on addressing the identified gaps through a common, agreed approach. (ANI)