Europe has most room to grow today among India’s major ties: Jaishankar in Paris

Jaishankar, who met French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot in Paris, said, “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.”

As External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar attended the first India-Weimer format meeting in Paris on Wednesday, along with Polish Deputy PM Radoslaw Sikorski, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, he said that Europe has the “most room to grow today” among India’s major ties.

At the Meeting, Jaishankar said that this is the first time that India is engaging in this format. “Our discussions were largely centred on three issues — India-European Union relations, the Indo-Pacific, and the Ukraine conflict,” he said.

Setting the context for the meeting, Jaishankar said, “We have been witnessing for quite some years now that churn in the Indo-Pacific. Europe is going through its own challenging circumstances, many of which have strategic implications. But beyond that, there have also been overarching developments that could redefine the global order itself. We may be located in different parts of the world, but despite that, perhaps even because of that, it is extremely useful for us to exchange views regularly and to share assessments.”

“It is reflected in a collective endeavour with Brussels, but it is also sustained by individual European Union member states. As these conversations advance and cooperation deepens, it is natural that we have smaller group interactions that support this larger direction, and I think that is what we seek today…among India’s major relationships, I believe that the one with the European Union and Europe — and obviously with its member states — has the most room to grow today. We have tremendous unrealised potential and many new areas to explore. It is appropriate that this format, which has brought us together, has three very important European partners. My discussions today leave me confident that they will support that effort to take India-Europe ties to the next level,” he 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, adding, “I think we can bring more stability both into the international economy and global politics. And that really is why I am here.”

“I should add, by the way, as soon as I get back that we would be expecting to welcome Chancellor (Friedrich) Merz in India. And as I said, soon, President (Emmanuel) Macron will be there. A number of other European leaders are also slated to visit India very shortly,” Jaishankar said.

The two ministers largely focused on preparing grounds for Macron’s visit to India next month to participate in the AI Summit.

He also said that India is chairing the BRICS and France chairing the G7 this year and even referred to both sides being part of the G20 grouping.