New Delhi’s diplomatic calendar kicked off with a bang as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar embarked on his first overseas trip of 2026, visiting France and Luxembourg from January 4 to 9. This strategic outreach underscored India’s deepening engagement with key European partners amid evolving global dynamics.
In Paris, Jaishankar held high-level talks with French President Emmanuel Macron, setting the tone for enhanced bilateral cooperation. Discussions with Europe and Foreign Affairs Minister Jean-Noël Barrot delved into progress across critical sectors, including innovation, technology, startups, health, education, and mobility. The talks also spotlighted growing synergies in defense, security, space, civil nuclear energy, maritime security, and strategic economic domains.
Both leaders exchanged perspectives on pressing global and regional issues, reflecting shared priorities. Jaishankar made history as the first non-European foreign minister to address the 31st Conference of French Ambassadors as Guest of Honour. He emphasized the transformative global shifts and the vital role of strategic autonomy in navigating them.
The visit featured the inaugural India-Weimar foreign ministers’ meeting, bringing together counterparts from France, Germany, and Poland. Jaishankar stressed the need to fortify India-Europe and India-EU relations for mutual benefit.
Engagements extended to French parliamentarians from India-France friendship groups and the Parliamentary Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee. Jaishankar also met International Energy Agency Executive Director Fatih Birol and UNESCO Director-General Khalid Al-Anani, broadening the dialogue on global challenges.
Shifting to Luxembourg, Jaishankar conferred with Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Deputy PM Xavier Bettel. These meetings reviewed the full spectrum of India-Luxembourg ties, covering political cooperation, trade, investment, financial services, innovation, digital tech, space, and people-to-people links. Views were exchanged on regional and global developments of mutual interest.
Addressing the Indian community in Luxembourg, Jaishankar acknowledged their pivotal role in strengthening bilateral bonds and elevating India’s profile in the region.
This tour reaffirms India’s commitment to robust bilateral relations with France and Luxembourg, while advancing its broader strategic partnership with the European Union. In a rapidly changing world, the alignment of India-Europe interests emerges as a cornerstone of future collaboration.