India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday (March 5, 2026) stressed the need for dialogue and diplomacy instead of military operations to resolve global conflicts in the presence of Finnish President Alexander Stubb, and later spoke with French President Emmanuel Macron on the West Asia conflict, expressing concern and stressing his earlier message for peace.
“Today, the world is passing through a phase of instability and uncertainty. From Ukraine to West Asia, conflict persists in many parts of the world. India and Finland both believe in the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy,” Modi, addressing a joint press conference with Stubb, said.
Committing India to ensuring global peace, Modi said, “We (with Stubb) agree that no issue can be resolved through military conflict alone. Be it Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support the swift end of conflicts and every effort towards peace.”
Emphasising that India and Finland sought solutions based on negotiations, international law, and peaceful coexistence, the prime minister highlighted the two nations’ growing strategic partnership on various global issues. He referred to the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement signed in January 2026 as an example for strengthening trade, investment, and technology cooperation.
“We are shaping India-Finland relations into a strategic partnership in digitalisation and sustainability. This partnership, from AI to 6G telecom, from clean energy to quantum computing, will give momentum and energy to our cooperation in many high-tech areas,” he added.
Modi emphasised that both countries uphold the rule of law, dialogue, and diplomacy, adding, “We are unanimous that military conflict alone cannot resolve any issue. Whether in Ukraine or West Asia, we will continue to support every effort for a speedy end to the conflict and peace.”
He also called for reforming international bodies to tackle global challenges and reaffirmed a shared commitment to eradicating terrorism.
Modi Speaks to Macron, Calls for Peace Through Diplomacy
Later, Modi spoke to Macron over the phone regarding the escalating West Asia conflict, when both leaders shared concerns and called for a return to peace through dialogue and diplomacy.
“Spoke with my friend President Emmanuel Macron today. We discussed our shared concerns over the evolving situation in West Asia and the need for a return to dialogue and diplomacy,” Modi said in a post on X.
“We will continue to engage closely and coordinate efforts towards the early restoration of peace and stability in the region,” the prime minister posted, tagging the French President.
The Modi-Macron phone call came as France positioned its armed forces, including the flagship nuclear-powered aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, in the Mediterranean from the Baltic Sea to protect its maritime assets and those of friendly nations.
Macron said the carrier would be escorted by frigates and supported by its air wing, including Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems, and airborne radar platforms. “And we will continue this effort as much as necessary,” he said.
France joined the United Kingdom and Germany, previously announcing that they weren’t involved in the US-Israel military operations against Iran that began on Saturday (February 28, 2026). But Macron made it clear that Paris would defend its assets from attacks in the West Asian region.
French forces had shot down drones “in legitimate self-defence in the very first hours of the conflict, to defend the airspace of our allies, who know they can rely on us,” he said, without elaborating on operational details.
Macron noted that he repositioned the French carrier strike group after a strike on a British air force base in Cyprus, which is a European Union member and had recently signed a strategic partnership with France.