PM Modi, President Macron Hold Talks on Ukraine Peace Efforts

French President Emmanuel Macron spoke with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday to update him on the “Coalition of the Willing” initiative aimed at ending the war in Ukraine. Modi reiterated India’s consistent support for dialogue and an early restoration of peace.

Macron’s call came two days after he hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and leaders from 26 countries in Paris, where participants signaled readiness to provide military assistance to Ukraine once the fighting ends, as part of a security guarantee.

According to official readouts, Modi and Macron also reviewed progress in India–France cooperation across trade, defence, technology and space, reaffirming their commitment to deepen the strategic partnership under the Horizon 2047, Indo-Pacific and Defence Industrial roadmaps. Modi thanked Macron for confirming his participation in the AI Impact Summit in India in February 2026.

Macron posted on social media that France and India share “the same determination to achieve a just and lasting peace in Ukraine,” while Modi said the bilateral partnership would “continue to play a key role in fostering global peace and stability.”

The Coalition of the Willing, composed largely of European states alongside allies such as Australia, Japan, New Zealand and Canada, is part of a wider European push to engage India in persuading Russia to halt hostilities. European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen also spoke to Modi last week, urging New Delhi to leverage its ties with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

India, which has avoided directly condemning Moscow, has consistently called for dialogue and maintained contact with both Putin and Zelenskyy. Modi has told both leaders that the conflict cannot be resolved “on the battlefield” and negotiations will not succeed “under the shadow of the gun.”