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External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar spoke by phone with his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot on Wednesday, discussing developments in Ukraine, the Gulf, the Indo-Pacific, and the United Nations.
Following the phone chat, EAM Jaishankar posted on X, “Good to speak with French FM Jean-Noel Barrot. We discussed developments in Ukraine, the Gulf, the Indo-Pacific, and the United Nations. I look forward to our future meeting.
The meetings between the two ministers occurred following EAM Jaishankar’s recent tour to Ukraine and Poland. In Kyiv, EAM Jaishankar emphasized that India is ready to assist in any way to bring an end to the long-running war between Ukraine and Russia. The EAM expressed India’s readiness to help during his meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha in Kyiv.
In June, PM Modi was on an official visit to France, where he attended the Group of Seven (G7) Summit, held talks with President Emmanuel Macron, attended the Bharat Innovates Programme and VivaTech 2026.
Following the talks, PM Modi, in a post on X, wrote, “Today’s talks with my friend, President Macron, were exceptionally productive. Considering the longstanding friendship between our nations, we have decided to elevate our ties to a Special Global Strategic Partnership.”
“Our talks covered ways to deepen cooperation in key sectors like defence, technology, space, security, counter terrorism, innovation and more,” he added.
Earlier in May, EAM Jaishankar met Barrot on the sidelines of the Informal Meeting of the European Union (EU) Foreign Ministers in Cyprus.
“Always nice to meet FM Jean-Noel Barrot of France, this time in Cyprus,” EAM Jaishankar posted on X.
Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri co-chaired the India-France Foreign Office Consultations in Paris in April, alongside Secretary General Martin Briens of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the discussions covered a wide range of topics, including defense, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber and digital cooperation, AI, innovation, initiatives aimed at strengthening human and cultural ties, and global and regional developments.
During his visit to France, Misri met with Jean-Noel Barrot and discussed bilateral collaboration as well as pressing global problems, especially the situation in the Middle East.
In a post on X, the Indian Embassy in France stated: “Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri called on the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs H.E. Jean-Noel Barrot. Discussions covered key areas of bilateral cooperation, ongoing global challenges, including the situation in the Middle East.”
Source: IANS
