Explained: This article explains the political background, key decisions, and possible outcomes related to Explained : India-Europe ties growing, can bring stability to global politics: Jaishankar and Its Impact and why it matters right now.
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar interacts with members of Indian community in Luxembourg. Photo Credit: X@DrSJaishankar
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar’s first official visit for 2026 began in Europe, with a visit to Paris and Luxembourg, against the backdrop of major shifts in global politics including the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro by the U.S. and the on-going Russia-Ukraine war. In Paris, the Minister met his French, German and Polish counterparts for the India-Weimar Triangle meeting. Mr. Jaishankar said he chose Europe to kick-start the year because India-Europe ties were growing and because the two sides could bring stability to the international economy and global politics.
“Why did I come to Europe? I think it was a very conscious choice. It was a choice which reflected our belief that this relationship with Europe is really poised to grow, grow to the next level,” he said at a joint press conference in Paris on Wednesday (January 7, 2026), with his Weimar Triangle counterparts.
“I think we can bring more stability, both into the international economy and global politics, and that really is why I’m here,” he said.
India’s relationship with the E.U. and with Europe had the most room to grow, among all its major relationships, Mr Jaishankar said. The discussions in Paris included India sharing perspectives on challenges in the Indo-Pacific and on the Ukraine conflict, Mr. Jaishankar said on social media site X.
The European Union and India are working to announce a ‘Free Trade’ Agreement (FTA) during the visit of E.U. leaders Ursula von der Leyen and António Costato India for Republic Day later this month. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Brussels on a two-day visit (January 8-9) for discussions with his E.U. counterpart, Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. German Chancellor Frederik Merz is due in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru next week while French President Emmanuel Macron is due in New Delhi next month for the India AI Impact Summit.
Mr Jaishankar also held bilateral discussions with his France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot.
Mr. Barrot emphasized that it was the first time a non-European partner had been invited to the Weimar Triangle meeting format at the Foreign Minister level. The rationale, as per Mr. Barrot, was that France currently held the G7 [ Group of seven advanced economies] presidency and India, the presidency of BRICS [the Brazil Russia India China South Africa and others]. He also pointed to the FTA that is approaching finalization.
“In an increasingly violent world where balances are being questioned, it is important to build bridges between centers of stability, dialog and responsibility,” the French Minister said.
Europe has been reeling from U.S. President Donald Trump’s ambiguity about the transatlantic relationship, including his qualified and wavering support for Ukraine in its war against Russia. More recently, following the U.S.’s capture of Mr. Maduro, Mr. Trump has renewed his push to acquire Greenland, an autonomous region of Denmark. This has alarmed European allies of the U.S., many of whom have defended Denmark and Greenland’s sovereignty to determine their future.
“There’s no such thing as a collective West. There’s no such thing as a Global South,” the French Foreign Minister said at Wednesday’s press conference.
“There are but nations who can dialog for their mutual interests,” he said, adding that countries could come together to defend international law and sovereignty.
Published – January 08, 2026 08:32 am IST