Kashmir bilateral issue but rights should be protected: Emmanuel Macron

France: India and Pakistan should resolve the Kashmir issue bilaterally and no third party should “interfere or incite” violence in the region, French President Emmanuel Macron has said after his marathon one-on-one talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Macron said he told PM Modi it was the responsibility of both India and Pakistan “to avoid any deterioration on the ground which could lead to an escalation”. He said France would “remain attentive to ensure the interests and rights of the civilian populations are properly taken into account in the territories on both sides of the ceasefire line”. He said that peace should be maintained in the region and peoples’ rights should be protected.

“I will also speak to Pakistan Prime Minister (Imran Khan) after a few days and tell him that the talks should be held bilaterally,” the French president said.

The two leaders reviewed the entire gamut of the dynamic and multi-faceted bilateral relationship during their more than 90-minute long one-on-one meeting on Thursday at Chateau de Chantilly, one of the finest jewels of French cultural heritage, located about 50 km north of Paris.

In a joint press statement after the talks, President Macron said that PM Modi briefed him about India’s decision to end special status for Jammu and Kashmir and that it is in their sovereignty. “I told him that India and Pakistan will have to find a solution to the issue and no third party should interfere or incite violence in the region,” Macron said.

Macron also said that France will deliver first of the 36 Rafale fighter jets to India next month. Speaking after Macron, PM Modi said the relationship between India and France is not based on any selfishness, but on solid ideals of ‘Liberty, Equality and Fraternity’.

He said India and France will expand cooperation in counter terrorism and security. PM Modi made no direct remarks on Kashmir but pledged to continue the fight against “radicalisation”, saying India had gained France’s “valuable support in fighting cross-border terrorism”. “Both our countries are constantly facing terrorism. We thank President Macron for the valuable support that France has received in combating cross-border terrorism. We intend to broaden cooperation on security and counter-terrorism,” PM Modi added.

In a joint statement issued after the talks, the two leaders reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations including cross-border terrorism and terror-related incidents in France and India.

Recalling the joint statement on terrorism adopted by the two countries in January 2016, the two leaders reaffirmed their strong determination to eliminate terrorism wherever it is to be found and urged the international community to strengthen the efforts to counter and prevent terrorist financing.

They called upon all UN member countries to implement the UNSC Resolution 1267 and other relevant resolutions designating terrorist entities.

The two leaders also agreed to enhance their operational cooperation and launch fresh efforts to prevent and fight radicalisation, especially online radicalisation.

Identifying defence industrial cooperation as one of the mainstays of the strategic partnership between India and France, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen cooperation in this field.