Jaishankar signals deeper India-Europe strategic convergence

New Delhi, Jan 11: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar concluded his January 4-9 visit to France and Luxembourg, using the engagements to underline India’s push for deeper strategic, economic, and technological partnerships with Europe amid shifting global alignments.

In France, Jaishankar called on President Emmanuel Macron and held talks with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, focusing on expanding cooperation beyond traditional defence ties into innovation, startups, emerging technologies, health, education and mobility under the India-France Year of Innovation.

Both sides reviewed progress in defence, space, civil nuclear cooperation and maritime security, while exchanging views on regional and global developments.

A key highlight of the visit was Jaishankar’s address as Guest of Honour at France’s 31st Conference of Ambassadors, making him the first non-European foreign minister to do so.

In his address, he stressed strategic autonomy and the need for diversified partnerships in an increasingly fragmented global order.

The External Affairs Minister also took part in the first India-Weimar Foreign Ministers’ meeting with France, Germany and Poland, signalling India’s intent to engage more deeply with European groupings beyond bilateral formats and to strengthen India–EU ties.

In Luxembourg, Jaishankar met Prime Minister Luc Frieden and held talks with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, reviewing cooperation in trade and investment, financial services, digital technologies, innovation, space, and people-to-people ties.