External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, reaffirming the depth and resilience of the India–France strategic partnership at a time of major global political and economic transformation. The meeting reflected the shared commitment of both nations to sustained dialogue and close coordination amid shifting power dynamics and evolving international challenges.
During the interaction, Jaishankar conveyed warm greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and exchanged views with President Macron on a range of contemporary global issues. Their discussions touched on changing geopolitical realities, regional security concerns, and the growing importance of cooperation between like-minded partners to navigate an increasingly complex global environment. Both sides acknowledged the need for strategic coordination as the world adapts to new economic and political alignments.
Following the meeting, Jaishankar shared his thoughts on social media, expressing appreciation for President Macron’s insights on global developments and his positive outlook toward the bilateral relationship. He highlighted the importance of regular engagement at the highest levels to maintain momentum in the India–France partnership, which has steadily expanded across multiple domains.
India and France share a long-standing strategic relationship encompassing defence collaboration, space cooperation, civil nuclear engagement, clean energy initiatives, and coordination in the Indo-Pacific region. Officials from both countries have consistently described this partnership as a stabilising force in an increasingly multipolar world. Paris and New Delhi also align closely on the principles of strategic autonomy and support for a rules-based international order.
While in Paris, Jaishankar addressed France’s Ambassadors’ Conference, where he spoke about the profound changes reshaping global politics and economics. He emphasised that trade, finance, technology, energy, resources, and connectivity are central drivers of contemporary global shifts. He also noted that evolving national mindsets and strategic thinking have become critical in shaping how countries respond to these changes. In this context, he described the India–France relationship as a key pillar supporting multipolarity and independent strategic decision-making.
Earlier the same day, Jaishankar participated in the inaugural India–Weimar format meeting in Paris, alongside senior leaders from France, Germany, and Poland. This marked India’s first engagement in the Weimar framework, opening a new channel for structured dialogue with major European powers. Jaishankar noted that despite geographic distance, regular exchanges are essential as developments in the Indo-Pacific and Europe increasingly influence the global order.
He also reiterated that France remains one of India’s oldest and most trusted strategic partners in Europe, stressing that continuous dialogue is fundamental to nurturing and strengthening this enduring relationship.
