External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will undertake a six-day official visit to France and Luxembourg from January 4 to January 10, as India looks to deepen strategic, economic and diplomatic engagement with key European partners, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Sunday.
The visit comes at a time when India–Europe relations are gaining momentum, with negotiations on the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) entering what diplomats and ministers have described as a “decisive phase”.
Strengthening India-France bilateral ties
According to a statement issued by MEA, Jaishankar will meet with French leadership and speak with Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot during his stay in Paris. The upcoming talks between both sides will be focused on mapping the areas of progress for the India–France Strategic Partnership.
First launched on January 26, 1998, the India france strategic partnership pact marks India’s first-ever strategic partnership with any country. While in Paris, the External Affairs Minister will also address the 31st edition of the French Ambassadors’ Conference as the Guest of Honour, highlighting India’s perspectives on global diplomacy and international cooperation.
According to the MEA, India and France have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations and share a deep and enduring Strategic Partnership (SP). Defence and security, civil nuclear matters and space constitute the principal pillars of this strategic cooperation and now include a strong Indo-Pacific component.
In recent years, the partnership has broadened to include maritime security, digitalisation, cybersecurity and advanced computing, counterterrorism, climate change, renewable and sustainable growth and development, among others.
A major pillar of India–France cooperation lies in institution-building at the global level, especially in climate and sustainability. One of the most prominent examples is the International Solar Alliance, jointly launched by India and France in 2015 at the Paris Climate Conference (COP21).
As per MEA discussions between both sides are expected to focus on defence and security cooperation, including ongoing and future military-to-military engagements, civil nuclear energy, a long-standing pillar of the India–France partnership, Space cooperation including satellite launches and emerging technologies, Counterterrorism and intelligence cooperation.
Partnership with Luxembourg
Following his engagements in France, Jaishankar will travel to Luxembourg, where he will hold discussions with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, Xavier Bettel, as well as senior leaders of the country.
During his stay in Luxembourg, the EAM is also scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community. Diplomatic relations between India and Luxembourg were established in 1948. As per MEA India and Luxembourg have enjoyed warm partnership.
India–Luxembourg cooperation focuses on routing Indian institutional investment into European markets. Several Indian banks and financial institutions use Luxembourg-domiciled funds for cross-border investments.
A fast-growing pillar of ties between both sides is that of green and sustainable finance, aligned with India’s climate goals. Areas of engagement include green bonds and climate-linked finance, financing for renewable energy and infrastructure.
India is intensifying engagement with European partners amid ongoing FTA negotiations as it seeks diversified trade, technology and investment links beyond traditional partners.