External Affair Minister S. Jaishankar meets France Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, on Wednesday. (@DrSJaishankar/ANI Photo)
New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that India is working to strengthen its ties with Europe, and that this partnership can help bring more stability to the global economy and world politics.
After talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, Jaishankar said the current global situation is uncertain and challenging. His remarks came amid rising geopolitical tensions, including concerns over a recent US military operation in Venezuela and strained India-US relations after Washington imposed a 50 percent tariff on Indian goods.
The External Affairs Minister said Europe is an important player in global politics and it is necessary that India strengthens its relationship with it.
Today’s wide-ranging discussions with Foreign Minister @jnbarrot of France were driven by the comfort and depth of our Strategic Partnership.
Spoke about advancing our bilateral cooperation and taking India – EU engagement to a higher level. Also shared perspectives on… pic.twitter.com/9GLHSOCkww
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 7, 2026
“I think it was a very conscious choice. It was a choice which reflected our belief that this relationship with Europe is really poised to grow, grow to the next level,” Jaishankar said at a media briefing when asked why he was in Europe.
“And when I look back, even in the last few weeks, we have had discussions within India on matters dealing with Europe, the FTA (Free Trade Agreement), technology issues, semiconductors, railways, defence, aviation.
“So there is really a very substantive relationship, much more that can be done. But other than that, I think there is a larger discussion today that the world needs about the global order,” Jaishankar said.
“What kind of world do we want to live in? What would be the norms and the other related issues? And because I think Europe is such an important player in global politics, it is also necessary that India strengthens its relationship (with it),” he said.
Jaishankar added: “I think we can bring more stability both into the international economy and global politics. And that really is why I am here.”
In the next few weeks, India will host German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, French President Emmanuel Macron and top leaders of the European Union.
“I should add, by the way, as soon as I get back that we would be expecting to welcome Chancellor Mertz in India. And as I said, soon, President Macron will be there. A number of other European leaders are also slated to visit India very shortly,” Jaishankar said.
He also said India and France working together has become important to stabilise global politics.
The two ministers largely focused on preparing grounds for Macron’s visit to India next month to participate in the AI Summit.
In his opening remarks at the meeting with his French counterpart, Jaishankar, elaborating the importance of the talks, mentioned the larger context of “considerable global uncertainty” and said it is natural for strategic partners to consult “very closely” in such a situation.
He noted India chairing the BRICS and France helming the G7 this year and even referred to both sides being part of the G20 grouping. “We are also otherwise active in a number of international organisations,” he said.
“So as two nations committed to multi-polarity, I believe that working together is important for ourselves, also for stabilising the global politics at this stage,” he said.
The external affairs minister also mentioned Macron’s upcoming visit to India. “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,” he said. (With PTI Inputs)
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