External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday during his official visit to France, extending Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s greetings and acknowledging France’s steadfast support in combating terrorism.
"Honored to invite President Emmanuel Macron of France. Sent greetings of PM Narendra Modi. Appreciated him for the strong word of solidarity of France against terrorism. Our conversation captured the confidence, ease and aspiration of our Strategic Partnership," Jaishankar posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
Timing 25 years of the India–France Strategic Partnership, Jaishankar's visit reflects the depth of bilateral confidence and common global orientation between the two countries. The relationship covers across the important strategic areas and modern issues, ranging from security to climate and innovation.
As per the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Jaishankar will travel to Paris and Marseille, where he will have bilateral discussions with France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot. The minister will also meet with senior French officials, think tanks, as well as media.
Jaishankar is also joining the first Mediterranean edition of the Raisina Dialogue in Marseille — an initiative to increase level talks on geopolitical and regional affairs.
In a high-profile display of solidarity after the April Pahalgam terror attack, President Macron had personally called up Prime Minister Modi to offer condolences and reassure India of France's unflinching support.
"I have just talked to my counterpart Narendra Modi regarding the despicable terrorist attack of Tuesday, which claimed the unfortunate lives of dozens of innocent civilians. France stands in solidarity with India and its people during this moment of sorrow. France and its allies will persevere in the battle against terrorism wherever and whenever the need arises," Macron had stated in an X post.
Jaishankar's France, European Union, and Belgium visit (June 8–14) is designed to strengthen India's diplomatic and economic relations with important European allies. India and the European Union signed a Trilateral Cooperation Agreement on June 12, stressing collaborative work on pilot projects in third countries and pushing initiatives such as green shipping, clean energy, and the India–Middle East–Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
The deal, signed between Jaishankar and European Commissioner Jozef Sikela present, was welcomed as a leap ahead in India–EU connectivity cooperation and a strategic advantage for the Global South.
During his visit to Brussels (June 9–11), Jaishankar also had high-level discussions with Belgium's King Philippe, Prime Minister Bart De Wever, and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. On the EU side, he also met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Parliament President Roberta Metsola, and co-chaired the first India–EU Strategic Dialogue with EU High Representative Kaja Kallas.
The tour demonstrates India's increasing focus on strategic alliances with European nations in the face of shifting global dynamics and common challenges. Further details on the results of the visit are anticipated in the next few days.
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