G7 Summit: PM Modi, French President Agree To Deepen Defence Cooperation

The summit is taking place at the luxurious Borgo Egnazia resort in Italy's Apulia region from June 13-15.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron agreed to bolster strategic defence cooperation, with a heightened emphasis on promoting India's 'Make in India' initiative.

PM Modi and French President Macron held a bilateral meeting on Friday on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Apulia, Italy.

France is India's closest strategic partner in Europe and the two sides have built up close cooperation, especially in security and defence. India is presently in negotiations with France to acquire 26 Rafale jets for the Indian Navy and earlier purchased 36 jets for the Indian Air Force under a 2016 deal worth Euro 7.87 billion.