New Delhi, June 10: France’s minister of foreign affairs, Jean-Baptiste Lemoyne, has on Monday reaffirmed his nation’s commitment for supporting India in a fight against terror financing and terrorism, during his official visit to New Delhi.
While speaking over the recent United Nations (UN) designation of Pakistan based and backed Jaish-e-Mohammed (JeM) terror outfit chief Masood Azhar as an international terrorist, Lemoyne told ANI: “The fight against terrorism is our priority. France stands alongside India in this fight and I think we much address different things – cybersecurity, for example, is crucial (so is) the fight against financing terrorism as I mentioned previously.”
He added saying it’s an everybody fight and “I can say that we (India-France) have a strong relation in that field”, according to ANI news reports.
Frane and India have worked closely together in getting Azhar designated as a global terrorist, especially after Pulwama terror attack that took place on February 14 in Jammu and Kashmir over Indian paramilitary convoy, claimed by JeM chief. The suicide bombing terror attack claimed the lives of 44 CRPF personnel.
Following the attack, India extensively launched diplomatic efforts to convince world powers to join it and voice against Azhar and get him designated under the UN, which can into effect finally on May 1 when China lifted its technical hold over a proposal given by France, the United States and the United Kingdom in the 1267 Committee of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC).
While addressing an issue that the FATF (Financial Action Task Force) was not impressed by Pakistan over its handling of terrorism and its financing, the French minister said, “France is very committed at an international level to fight against terrorism and financing terrorism … We also know that India is very committed and we’re happy about that. A conference will be held in Australia which will show how the Indo-Pacific area is crucial to fight against the financing of terrorism.”
Lemoyne also spoke about the upcoming official visit to France by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to address the G7 conference.
While outlining French President Emmanuel Macron was “very happy” inviting Modi in August to France, he said Macron and Modi have a strong relationship personally and that there was a lot of mutual respect.