FRANCE-INDIA getting close:
Macron Calls Modi After Alaska Talks — France Backs India’s BRICS 2026 Push
French President Emmanuel Macron phoned Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 21 August 2025 to debrief him on recent diplomacy and to coordinate on urgent global hotspots. The leaders discussed the war in Ukraine, tensions in West Asia, and the wider effort to reduce escalation after the Alaska summit between U.S. President Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. Crucially, Macron pledged France’s support for India’s 2026 BRICS presidency, signalling Paris wants closer cooperation with New Delhi on global diplomacy and multilateral initiatives. (Deccan Herald, Reuters)
Why this matters
Diplomatic coordination: Macron’s call — coming after high-profile US-Russia talks in Alaska — shows Europe and India are talking directly about de-escalation and next steps. That’s useful when negotiations are fragile and speedy information-sharing matters.
Political signal: France backing India’s BRICS presidency is a public nod of confidence. It helps India build broader international buy-in for the 2026 agenda and underlines Paris’s interest in a multipolar, cooperative approach.
Balancing act: For India, the conversation reinforces its role as a neutral mediator and strategic partner — talking to Europe, the US, Russia and others while pushing diplomatic solutions.
Bottom line:
It was a short call with big symbolism: Macron sharing notes from recent high-level diplomacy, and France telling India — we’ve got your back for BRICS 2026. At a time of fast-moving talks on Ukraine and regional tensions, that kind of coordination matters more than headlines suggest.
Source & credit: Deccan Herald; Reuters; Economic Times; Business Today.