Finance
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, underlining the strength of India-France’s strategic partnership and sharing views on current global developments during a period of substantial geopolitical and economic transformation.
During his meeting with President Macron, the External Affairs Minister conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed emerging global challenges such as shifting power balances, regional security concerns, and the need for closer strategic coordination among like-minded partners.
Taking to social media platform X, EAM Jaishankar wrote, “Delighted to call on President @EmmanuelMacron of France today and convey warm wishes of PM @narendramodi. Deeply appreciate his perspectives on contemporary global developments and positive sentiments for our Strategic Partnership.”
India and France have a long-standing strategic collaboration that includes defence, space, civil nuclear cooperation, clean energy, and the Indo-Pacific.
Officials from both sides have consistently emphasized the partnership as a stabilizing force in an increasingly multipolar world, with Paris and New Delhi calling for strategic autonomy and rules-based international participation.
In Paris, Jaishankar also spoke at the French Ambassadors’ Conference about the significant shifts that are altering world politics and economy. He emphasized how commerce, money, technology, energy, resources, and connection are driving modern global transitions, while adding that national mindset changes have become a critical aspect in reacting to these revolutions.
He emphasized the India-France alliance as a critical component in achieving multipolarity and strategic autonomy.
Earlier on Wednesday, Jaishankar attended the inaugural India-Weimar format meeting in Paris, alongside Polish Deputy Prime Minister Radoslaw Sikorski, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot, and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
The summit was India’s first participation in the Weimar framework, indicating a new path for formal conversation with major European powers.
“We have been witnessing for quite some years now that churn in the Indo-Pacific. Europe is going through its own challenging circumstances, many of which have strategic implications. But beyond that, there have also been overarching developments that could redefine the global order itself. We may be located in different parts of the world, but despite that, perhaps even because of that, it is extremely useful for us to exchange views regularly and to share assessments,” Jaishankar said during the meeting.
Jaishankar also mentioned, “France is amongst our oldest strategic partners, the first in Europe, and I believe that our continuous conversation is an important part of nurturing that relationship.”
Source: IANS
