Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri, alongside French Ministry of Foreign Affairs Secretary General Martin Briens, co-chaired the India-France Foreign Office Consultations in Paris. The discussions encompassed various areas such as defense, civil nuclear energy, space, cyber cooperation, AI, and cultural ties, aligning with global and regional developments. Earlier, Misri met with French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noel Barrot, to discuss bilateral cooperation and global challenges, including the Middle East situation.
The meeting between Misri and Barrot occurred amidst heightened tensions in the Middle East following unsuccessful negotiations between the US and Iran. Both officials stressed the importance of upholding the Iran-US ceasefire agreement and resolving the conflict diplomatically. They also deliberated on restoring freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz and exploring joint responses to address economic imbalances and enhance multilateralism.
Additionally, Misri visited the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris, where he viewed the exhibition “L’Art de L’Inde: Aujourd’hui,” showcasing 80 artworks by 40 Indian artists and highlighting India’s artistic heritage. Following his engagements in France, Misri is set to visit Germany for Foreign Office Consultations with State Secretary of the German Foreign Office, Geza Andreas von Geyr. This visit aims to strengthen India’s relations with Germany and France, building on previous high-level exchanges between India and Europe.
