Jaishankar Meets Macron In Paris, Signals Strategic Push As France Prepares For High-Stakes India Visit

India–France strategic ties received a fresh diplomatic push on Thursday (January 8, 2026) as External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met French President Emmanuel Macron in Paris, conveying Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s warm wishes and reaffirming the growing convergence between the two countries on global and strategic issues.

The high-level engagement comes ahead of President Macron’s announced visit to India next month, when New Delhi will host the AI Impact Summit.

What did Jaishankar say about his meeting with Macron?

Sharing details on X, Jaishankar said he deeply appreciated President Macron’s perspectives on contemporary global developments and his positive sentiments towards the India–France Strategic Partnership.

The meeting underscored the centrality of Paris in India’s European outreach at a time of rapid geopolitical churn and shifting global power equations.

What was Jaishankar’s message to envoys in Paris?

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar addressed France’s Ambassadors’ Conference, where he highlighted the profound global shifts being driven by trade, finance, technology, energy, resources, and connectivity.

He stressed that changes in strategic mindset are proving to be as critical as structural transformations, and underlined the importance of the India–France partnership in promoting multipolarity and strategic autonomy.

“India and France are natural partners in a world that is moving away from rigid blocs,” Jaishankar noted, signalling New Delhi’s alignment with Paris on the need for diversified partnerships and independent decision-making in global affairs.

What did Jaishankar discuss with his French counterpart?

The diplomatic momentum was reinforced a day earlier when Jaishankar met French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot. The two leaders discussed advancing bilateral cooperation, deepening strategic engagement, and elevating India–EU relations, while exchanging views on current international developments.

India has consistently described France as one of its oldest and most trusted strategic partners. Both countries are active global players, committed to multipolarity, and see their cooperation as vital not just for bilateral interests but also for contributing to global stability.

With Macron’s India visit on the horizon and collaboration expanding across defence, technology, AI, and geopolitics, the India–France partnership is once again at the centre of New Delhi’s evolving foreign policy calculus