Modi, Macron to deepen India-France ties: Full text of joint statement

Narendra Modi and Emmanuel Macron also agreed to create an annual defence dialogue at the ministerial level

The French president Emmanuel Macron, in a joint statement with the Prime Minister Narendra Modi, stressed upon deepening the trade alliance between France and India as the two countries inked 14 pacts worth $16 billion in key areas of defence, security and nuclear energy.

Beginning on a lighter note, President Macron made remarks on the origin of the French curry in India and credited India for providing ideas to various French writers who visited the sub-continent during 18th and 19th century.

He said, "During 18th and 19th century many French writers had travelled to India and found a lot of