CANBERRA, May 5 (Xinhua) -- In his latest diplomatic foray, French President Emmanuel Macron has concluded his visit to Australia on Wednesday, during which he called for the creation of a new strategic alliance with India and Australia.
The French leader has played an active role on the global stage since taking office, but his various foreign visits and proposals regarding major global issues may not be enough to propel Paris to the forefront of global affairs, analysts said.
"This new Paris-Delhi-Canberra axis is absolutely key for the region and our joint objectives in the Indian-Pacific region," Macron said in a joint press conference with Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on the second day of his trip.
Macron and Turnbull announced that France and Australia will form a defence symposium to increase cooperation in the area, and will deepen cooperation in trade, cyber security and other areas.
The Australia-France defence relationship was taken to a new level in April 2016 when the Australian government awarded a 50 billion Australian dollar (37.5 billion U.S. dollar) contract to build a new fleet of submarines to French shipbuilder DCNS which has since been re-named Naval Group.
Besides Australia, India is another big buyer of French munitions. In his first visit to India as head of the state from March 9 to March 12, both countries signed 14 agreements in areas like defence, nuclear power, renewable energy, railways, education, environment, urban development and maritime security.
The defence pact would facilitate logistics support, supplies and services between the armed forces of the two countries during authorized port visits, joint exercises, joint training, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief efforts.
Macron wishes to restore France's influential role worldwide through his active diplomacy, said Cui Hongjian, director of the Department for European Studies of the China Institute of International Studies. France's moves echo those of the U.S. in the regions of the Asia-Pacific and the Indian Ocean, Cui added.
Macron's diplomatic strategies are pro-globalization, said analysts, adding that Macron seeks cooperation with foreign countries to highlight his diplomatic priorities against the backdrop of rising anti-globalization among many Western nations after Donald Trump was elected U.S. president and Britain decided to leave the European Union.
However, the globalization proposed by Macron must contend with the United States and other major countries for global influence on the premise that the interests of France and the Europe will not be damaged.
In April, Macron visited the United States, urging it not to walk away from the Iran nuclear agreement and advocating multilateralism and globalization.
After assuming office as president last year, Macron has adopted an active foreign policy. Other than Europe and Asia, interactions with major powers like the United States and Russia have also become a key part of France's foreign strategy.
Macron will visit Russia this month.
