EAM begins France visit for G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, set for key bilateral talks amid global crises…reports Asian Lite News Desk
India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar arrived in France on Thursday to participate in the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, where a wide range of pressing global issues will be discussed alongside crucial bilateral engagements.
Jaishankar reached Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay to attend the meeting with partner countries, marking the start of his two-day visit. He was received by France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, with the Indian minister noting that their interaction marked his first bilateral engagement during the visit.
The External Affairs Minister is attending the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting at the invitation of Barrot, with deliberations expected to focus on key geopolitical developments, including the ongoing war in Ukraine and the conflict in West Asia. The gathering brings together leading global powers and partner nations to address shared challenges and coordinate responses.
According to France’s Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, discussions on Iran and the broader Middle East will explore avenues for negotiation aimed at de-escalation. The talks will also emphasise ensuring civilian safety, reopening maritime and trade routes, and addressing concerns surrounding Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programmes.
On Ukraine, G7 partners are expected to reiterate their support for Kyiv, particularly in terms of energy assistance and capabilities, while also considering measures to increase pressure on Russia, including action related to its shadow fleet.
The ministers will also examine several regional situations across the globe, including developments in the Indo-Pacific, Sudan, Haiti, Gaza, Venezuela and Cuba, reflecting the wide scope of international concerns since the beginning of 2026.
In addition to geopolitical discussions, the meeting will focus on collaborative initiatives to tackle transnational challenges. France and its partners are working to mobilise international funding to repair the confinement structure at Chernobyl, which was reportedly damaged in 2025. Efforts to counter the trafficking of synthetic drugs such as Captagon in Syria and to enhance regional economic integration in the Middle East are also on the agenda.
A key outcome of the meeting is expected to be the establishment of a G7 task force aimed at strengthening cooperation against drug trafficking. This initiative will include the creation of a network of ports across G7 and partner countries. The ministers are also set to discuss plans for a regional security conference in the Caribbean and the upcoming ‘No Money for Terror’ conference scheduled in Paris in May 2026.
India’s participation highlights its growing engagement in multilateral forums and its commitment to contributing to discussions on global peace, security and economic stability.
