Paris/Seoul, 05 April (H.S.):

French President Emmanuel Macron issued a stark global call during his Seoul visit, urging like-minded nations to form a coalition of independence and shun subservience to either U.S. unpredictability or Chinese dominance amid rising geopolitical flux.

Speaking at Yonsei University, Macron declared: Decades of so-called stability based on our international order and certainties are now fluctuating. We cannot remain mere spectators in this new disorder—we must build a new order.

He explicitly warned against becoming vassals of two hegemonic powers, stressing reduced dependence on China's sway while avoiding overexposure to America's volatility.

Targeting South Korea, Japan, Brazil, India, Australia, and Canada, Macron advocated unity on international law, democracy, and climate action. His remarks follow public rifts with U.S. President Donald Trump over NATO—derided as a paper tiger after Europe's Hormuz inaction—and France's refusal to endorse U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran.

Rejecting military fixes for West Asia, Macron said: I don't believe we can resolve this solely through bombings or operations. France, alongside Russia and China, reportedly blocked a UN Security Council resolution authorizing force against Iran in the Strait, originally slated for Friday.

Bolstering France's stance, Macron has ramped up defense spending on missiles, drones, and submarines, recently floating an expanded nuclear umbrella for Germany and European allies.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar