New Delhi [India], January 4: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar will undertake a six-day official visit to France and Luxembourg from January 4 to January 10, during which he is scheduled to hold high-level meetings aimed at strengthening India’s bilateral ties with both countries, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Sunday.
During his visit to France, Jaishankar will meet French leadership and hold talks with Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. Discussions are expected to focus on progress under the India-France Strategic Partnership and key regional and global issues of mutual interest. While in Paris, he will also address the 31st edition of the French Ambassadors’ Conference as Guest of Honour, highlighting India’s perspectives on global diplomacy and international cooperation.
“In Paris, he will be meeting the French leadership and hold talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot. They will discuss the progress made under the India-France Strategic Partnership and matters of global importance. EAM will also address the 31st edition of the French Ambassadors’ Conference as the Guest of Honour,” the MEA statement read.
India and France have traditionally enjoyed close and friendly relations and share a deep and enduring Strategic Partnership (SP) covering all aspects of bilateral cooperation, including a strategic component. Launched on January 26, 1998, India’s first-ever Strategic Partnership aimed to enhance the strategic independence of both countries through stronger bilateral cooperation. Defense and security, civil nuclear matters, and space remain the principal pillars of this strategic engagement, now complemented by a strong Indo-Pacific dimension.
In recent years, the partnership has expanded to include maritime security, digitalization, cybersecurity and advanced computing, counterterrorism, climate change, and sustainable growth and development.
Following his engagements in France, Jaishankar will travel to Luxembourg to hold discussions with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs Xavier Bettel, as well as senior national leaders. His meetings will focus on enhancing bilateral cooperation across various sectors. During his stay, the EAM is also scheduled to interact with members of the Indian community.
India and Luxembourg enjoy warm and friendly relations characterized by high levels of mutual understanding and cooperation at both bilateral and multilateral levels. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established in 1948. Luxembourg opened its embassy in New Delhi in February 2002, one of its five embassies in Asia, and maintains honorary consuls in Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata, and Bengaluru.
The visit underscores India’s continued engagement with its European partners and its commitment to deepening strategic and diplomatic ties, particularly as negotiations between New Delhi and the European Union on a long-pending Free Trade Agreement enter a “decisive phase.” (ANI)
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