Paris, March 26: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has arrived in France to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where global conflicts and geopolitical challenges are set to dominate discussions.
The meeting, hosted at Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, comes amid ongoing wars in Ukraine and West Asia, with partner countries like India invited to contribute to broader strategic deliberations.
Jaishankar is also expected to hold multiple bilateral meetings on the sidelines, beginning with talks with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, reflecting the growing strategic partnership between the two countries.
According to France’s foreign ministry, key agenda items include de-escalation efforts in the Middle East, ensuring the reopening of critical maritime routes such as the Strait of Hormuz, and addressing concerns over Iran’s nuclear and missile programmes.
On the Ukraine front, G7 partners are expected to reaffirm support for Kyiv and explore ways to increase pressure on Russia, particularly in areas such as energy security and sanctions enforcement.
The meeting will also cover a wide range of global issues, including the Indo-Pacific, crises in Sudan and Haiti, and challenges related to drug trafficking and terrorist financing. Plans include establishing a G7 task force to counter illicit trade networks and discussions on securing critical mineral supply chains.
India’s participation underscores its growing role in global diplomacy and multilateral engagements, with the visit expected to further strengthen ties with G7 nations while shaping discussions on key geopolitical and economic issues.
