Dr. Jaishankar’s 2026 Europe Visit: The Moves That Could Strengthen India’s Global Clout

As 2026 begins, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar embarks on a critical European tour, visiting France and Luxembourg from 4–9 January. This is no routine diplomatic trip. At a time when global power equations are shifting under the influence of predominant forces, ideological contradictions, and multiple regional conflicts dominate headlines, India’s engagements in Europe have become strategic imperatives.

In Paris, Dr. Jaishankar is scheduled to meet French leadership, including Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and address the 31st French Ambassadors’ Conference, a rare platform to project India’s vision to Europe’s diplomatic elite. In Luxembourg, talks with Deputy Prime Minister Xavier Bettel and interactions with the Indian diaspora underscore the dual focus on political strategy and societal diplomacy.

This visit reflects India’s deliberate approach in a world where traditional alliances are shifting, multilateral institutions are under strain, and uncertainty is the new normal. India is sending a clear signal: it is not a passive observer, but a proactive actor shaping global outcomes with strategic foresight.

France: Diplomacy, Culture, and Youth Engagement

Dr. Jaishankar’s visit to France is already leaving an impression beyond formal meetings. On the first evening in Paris, he visited the exposition “Ce qui se trame – Woven Stories Between India and France”, celebrating India’s rich textile heritage, creativity, and savoir-faire. The exhibition is a reminder of the deep cultural connections underpinning India–France relations.

He also interacted with participants of the French-Indian Young Talents Program, organised by CCIFI, discussing global transformations and the crucial role of collaboration in today’s interconnected world. This engagement underscores India’s commitment to nurturing the next generation of leaders and innovators, highlighting the soft power dimensions of its diplomacy.

On the economic and energy front, Dr. Jaishankar met Fatih Birol, Executive Director of the International Energy Agency, appreciating his insights on the global energy scenario and support for India’s growth. Such engagements emphasise India’s focus on strategic dialogue spanning culture, youth, and global energy security, complementing traditional defence and economic diplomacy.

Strategic Partnership in Focus

India and France have shared diplomatic ties since 1947, but their relationship deepened in 1998 with the launch of the India–France Strategic Partnership. France became the first major power to formalize such a partnership after India’s nuclear tests, choosing engagement over confrontation when many others imposed sanctions.

The Strategic Partnership encompasses defence, civil nuclear energy, space collaboration, and advanced technology. Defence projects such as the Rafale fighter jets have strengthened India’s air capabilities, while the P-75 Scorpene submarines, built in India with French expertise, exemplify Make in India and technology transfer. Indian engineers trained in France returned home with advanced submarine-building skills, boosting both operational capability and domestic expertise.

From Rafale jets soaring in Indian skies to submarines silently patrolling the oceans, these collaborations are not symbolic but tangible instruments of national security and capacity-building.

Defence and Development: Tangible Outcomes

From joint naval exercises like Varuna to air force exercises like Garuda, India–France defence cooperation has evolved from agreements on paper to real-world operational readiness.

“From Rafale fighter jets to metro rail projects, India’s bilateral cooperation has moved from ceremonial agreements to tangible outcomes with measurable impact on national security and development,” notes a policy analyst. Civil nuclear energy projects, space collaborations through ISRO–CNES, and cooperation in emerging sectors like AI and green hydrogen further underline the forward-looking nature of the partnership.

Economic and Industrial Collaboration

France’s role in India’s economic development is equally substantial. Companies like TotalEnergies, Safran, Airbus, and Alstom contribute to India’s energy transition, aerospace ecosystem, civil aviation, and urban transport infrastructure. Metro rail projects in multiple Indian cities exemplify co-development and co-production beyond the traditional buyer–seller model.

These collaborations deliver tangible benefits: technology transfer, skill development, and job creation, reinforcing the strategic depth of India–France ties. In today’s interconnected world, such partnerships translate diplomacy into measurable economic and technological gains.

Luxembourg: Small State, Strategic Impact

While less prominent than France, Luxembourg has emerged as a key strategic partner in finance, innovation, and European integration. Its global financial ecosystem enables Indian companies to raise capital efficiently, especially for green and infrastructure projects.

Indian companies like NHPC and Adani Green Energy have raised funds through green bonds on the Luxembourg Stock Exchange. For instance, Adani Green Energy’s 2025 issuance helped finance solar projects in Rajasthan, highlighting Luxembourg’s crucial role in India’s renewable energy transition.

Luxembourg’s engagement in space technology, satellite communications, and EU institutions further strengthens India’s broader European outreach. While France provides geopolitical heft, Luxembourg demonstrates how even small states can yield substantial strategic dividends.

Diplomacy in a Multipolar World

Dr. Jaishankar’s visit comes amid a turbulent global environment where unresolved crises such as the Russia–Ukraine war and the Israel–Gaza conflict have deepened polarization.

The volatile discord at the global dais highlights fractures in the international system, leaving room for nuanced leadership. India is expected to act as a neutral, proactive representative of the Global South, championing dialogue and practical solutions to conflicts while safeguarding its strategic interests.

In this environment, diversifying partnerships with France and Luxembourg reduces overreliance on any single power and strengthens India’s capacity to influence regional and global outcomes.

Strategic Autonomy in Action

France’s backing of India’s permanent UN Security Council aspirations, along with maritime cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, reinforces India’s global stature. Luxembourg’s financial and technological significance demonstrates that strategic advantage is not always proportional to size.

By engaging both countries, India strengthens its strategic autonomy, ensuring it can navigate uncertainty while shaping the global agenda. From fighter jets to green bonds, tangible partnerships allow India to convert diplomatic engagement into practical, long-term advantages.

People-to-People and Cultural Ties

Diplomacy is more than government-level agreements. Dr. Jaishankar’s engagement with the Indian diaspora in Luxembourg exemplifies the role of societal connections in foreign policy.

In France, cultural exchanges, academic collaborations, and tourism complement strategic cooperation, giving the partnership a civilisational dimension. These interactions foster mutual understanding and trust, ensuring that diplomacy rests not just on agreements but on enduring human connections.

Real-World Manifestations of Strategic Partnerships

Tangible outcomes are the hallmark of India’s European partnerships. Defence projects, metro rail collaborations, and renewable energy financing show that diplomacy can produce measurable results.

The P-75 Scorpene submarines and Rafale jets enhance India’s operational capability, while civil projects like metro systems and green bonds facilitate economic development. These real-world outcomes demonstrate that strategic partnerships are instruments for national growth, security, and technology transfer, moving far beyond ceremonial frameworks.

France, Luxembourg, and India’s Global Role

Why do these countries matter? France combines geopolitical weight with a consistent willingness to engage India as an equal partner, while Luxembourg bridges Europe’s financial and technological networks. Together, they give India leverage to act as a stabilising force in a fragmented world.

By deepening relations, India reinforces its voice in global forums, safeguards its interests, and projects influence across Europe and the Indo-Pacific. In 2026, partnerships with both countries are not optional but essential strategic tools for navigating multipolarity.

Conclusion: India as a Confident Stabiliser

Dr. Jaishankar’s 2026 visit underscores that India is an active architect of its foreign policy, not a passive observer. By combining defence, economic, technological, and people-to-people engagement, India strengthens its credibility, capacity, and strategic influence.

As alliances fragment and global uncertainties grow, India leverages partnerships to convert diplomacy into tangible outcomes. India's strategic autonomy is both a shield against uncertainty and a lever to shape a more stable, multipolar world.