Misri Visiting France, Germany After US Trip As GE Concludes Key Contracts With IAF, HAL
India expands diplomatic outreach to Europe while advancing key defence collaborations, linking strategic talks with progress on indigenous fighter engine support. Image Courtesy: X.com/@sidhant
After wrapping up his current visit to the US, India’s Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri embarked on a three-day trip to France and Germany from Sunday (April 12, 2026), in diplomatic outreach on energy, trade, and defence amid the West Asian war.
Misri’s visit to European nations came at the end of his three-day US visit, during which he held talks with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other senior Trump administration officials.
The Indian Foreign Secretary is slated to talk about the impact of the West Asian conflict on energy security when he meets senior officials in Paris and Berlin, according to Indian officials.
Another concern regarding the current war between the US-Israel combine and Iran is the security and safety of the 10-million Indian diaspora living in West Asia.
India has consistently insisted on dialogue and diplomacy for ensuring peace in the region that is key to its energy security.
What Misri Would Do in Paris
While in Paris, Misri is expected to co-chair the India-France Foreign Office Consultation with the French Foreign Ministry’s Secretary General Marin Briens, the Indian Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Saturday (April 11).
The two sides would discuss a wide range of issues, including defence, nuclear energy, space, cyber, digital, Artificial Intelligence, and civilian exchanges.
The latest global and regional developments, too, would figure in the dialogue, the MEA said in its announcement of the visits to Paris and Berlin.
Misri’s Germany Visit to Boost Bilateral Ties
In Germany, Misri would co-chair the India-Germany Foreign Office Consultations with German Foreign Office State Secretary Geza Andreas von Geyr.
Similar to the French consultations, India and Germany would discuss the diverse domains of bilateral cooperation, including trade and investments, defence and security, technology, green energy, development cooperation, and people-to-people ties when Misri meets with senior German officials.
The visit is in keeping with the regular high-level exchanges between India and Europe, the MEA said.
GE Aerospace Concludes Key Contracts with IAF, HAL
Meanwhile, as Misri left the US for Europe, American aeroengine maker GE Aerospace announced that it signed a contract with the Indian Air Force (IAF) to set up a depot for F404-IN20 aeroengines that power the indigenous ‘Tejas’ Light Combat Aircraft.
The facility, to be owned and operated by the IAF, with technical support, training, and spares from GE Aerospace, would significantly reduce dependence on overseas repair centres and improve engine turnaround times, the American company said in a statement.
“Our commitment to supporting India’s armed forces continues to guide our collaboration and partnership in expanding local sustainment capabilities of the Tejas fleet,” GE Aerospace vice president of sales and business development for defense and systems Rita Flaherty said.
“Through the upcoming depot facility, we will support the availability of the F404-IN20 engines for the Indian Air Force, ensuring they have ready access to cutting-edge technology to power their defense needs,” Flaherty said.
The company is said to have reached an agreement recently with India’s state-run Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) on technical matters regarding their cooperation on the F404-IN20 aeroengines.
The formal signing of this technical contract will happen later this year. Flaherty told an Indian media house that the technical discussions were the “hardest part,” as they involved a complex and deep transfer of technology for more advanced F414 aeroengines to India.
The GE Aerospace F404 engines power the Tejas combat jets of the IAF, while the F414 engines would be employed in the futuristic fighter aircraft that India would build for its air force.
