What happened?
On June 12, 2025, Union External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with French President Emmanuel Macron, conveying greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and expressing gratitude for France’s strong message of support in the fight against terrorism. EAM Jaishankar posted on the social media platform X, stating that their discussions reflected “the trust, comfort and ambition of our Strategic Partnership”. This meeting was part of Jaishankar’s Europe visit, which included discussions in Brussels with top European leaders to strengthen the EU-India strategic partnership.
Why it matters to India
This meeting underscores the deepening strategic partnership between India and France, a crucial relationship for India’s foreign policy objectives. France’s consistent support in counter-terrorism efforts is vital for India’s national security interests. Furthermore, EAM Jaishankar’s discussions on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with European leaders are highly significant for India’s economic growth. The anticipation of the FTA’s completion by the end of the year would open new avenues for trade and investment, boosting India’s economic ties with the European Union. India’s position on global issues, such as its nuanced stance on EU-US trade relations and the Russia-Ukraine conflict, as articulated by Jaishankar, highlights India’s growing diplomatic influence and its commitment to resolving international disputes through negotiation rather than conflict.