Paris / New Delhi, Jan 8, 2026 — India is actively strengthening its ties with Europe, and this deepening partnership has the potential to contribute to greater stability in both the global economy and international politics, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said during his visit to France. His comments came after talks in Paris with French Foreign Minister Jean‑Noël Barrot and in the broader context of shifting geopolitical dynamics. The Week

Jaishankar emphasised that Europe remains a major actor in world affairs and that it is important for India to bolster its engagement with European countries. His remarks reflected a conscious diplomatic choice by New Delhi to elevate the India–Europe relationship to a new level, amid challenges like global uncertainties and concerns over recent geopolitical events. Moneycontrol

At a media briefing, he said that India’s interaction with Europe is already substantive across multiple sectors — including free trade agreement (FTA) discussions, technology, defence, aviation, semiconductors and railways — and that there was significantly more scope for collaboration moving forward. Jaishankar framed these efforts within a larger conversation about the kind of global order nations want to cultivate in an increasingly unpredictable world. Moneycontrol

Strategic and Global Context

The external affairs minister noted that the current geopolitical environment is marked by uncertainty, calling for closer cooperation among strategic partners. Highlighting the importance of multilateral engagement, he pointed out India’s role as chair of BRICS and France’s leadership of the G7 this year, as well as both nations’ active participation in the G20 and other international forums. Strengthening India–Europe ties, he said, could help stabilise “global politics at this stage.” The Week

Jaishankar said that India and Europe together can play a larger role in bringing stability to the international economy and global political dynamics, a message he reiterated as the core purpose of his visit. He added that strategic partnership with France was particularly important and underlined Paris as one of India’s oldest and most enduring European partners. The Week

Bilateral Cooperation and Upcoming Diplomacy

The discussions in Paris largely focused on preparing for the upcoming visit of French President Emmanuel Macron to India, where he is expected to participate in an AI Summit next month. Both sides emphasized the deep historical and strategic foundation of India–France relations and the necessity of continuous high‑level dialogue to nurture these ties. The Week

Jaishankar also highlighted that India would soon host several major European leaders, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European Union heads, underscoring New Delhi’s growing diplomatic engagement with the bloc. These visits are expected in the weeks ahead and point to an accelerated phase of bilateral and multilateral cooperation. The Week

Beyond France, Jaishankar’s diplomatic tour included important engagements in Luxembourg, where he held talks focused on expanding cooperation in financial services, technology, innovation, and investment — areas seen as key to broader India–EU collaboration. Luxembourg’s role within the EU and its influence in financial and tech sectors were highlighted as valuable assets in building a deeper partnership with Europe. Mid-day+1

Why This Engagement Matters

Analysts say India’s outreach to European partners comes at a time when nations are reassessing alliances and partnerships amid global volatility. European countries are also looking to diversify diplomatic and economic relationships, particularly in light of rising tensions with other major powers and evolving geopolitical fault lines. In this context, relations with India — a large, fast‑growing democracy with expanding global influence — carry strategic weight. Business Standard

Discussions on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement — a long‑awaited deal — are another key element of this engagement. India and the EU have been negotiating the pact for years, and progress toward a trade deal is expected to be a catalyst for economic integration, investment flows, and supply chain diversification, further stabilising global trade and economic architecture. Outlook Business

Looking Ahead

Jaishankar reiterated that strengthening India–Europe relations is not only beneficial for both sides but also essential in shaping a stable and multipolar global order. This approach, he said, aligns with India’s broader diplomatic strategy of engaging with diverse partners to build consensus on issues of global significance. The Week

In sum, the External Affairs Minister’s visit to Paris and Luxembourg reaffirmed India’s intent to pursue deeper, more substantive ties with European nations, with an eye toward contributing to global economic stability, political cooperation, and strategic alignment in an era of complexity and change. Moneycontrol

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