Overview

• Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron showcased their partnership in Marseille, emphasizing projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic CorridorImec) and nuclear energy collaboration.
• The leaders highlighted France and India's shared vision of strategic independence, balancing relations with the U.S., China, and Russia while avoiding dependency on any single power.
• Modi's visit to France included inaugurating a new Indian consulate in Marseille and discussions on potential defense deals involving French Rafale jets and Scorpène submarines.
• The Prime Minister travels next to Washington to meet Donald Trump, focusing on trade imbalances, defense cooperation, and the Quad alliance's role in countering China's influence in the Indo-Pacific.
• India has already taken steps to ease trade tensions with the U.S., including tariff reductions on American goods and agreeing to repatriate Indian migrants deported by the U.S.