EAM Jaishankar to Participate in G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in France
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar is set to embark on a diplomatic visit to Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay, France, from Thursday to Friday this week. According to an official press release from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), he will attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' meeting, which includes partner countries, at the invitation of France's Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot.
Agenda and Key Discussions at the G7 Meeting
The G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting (FMM) will address pressing global challenges, as outlined in a background briefing by the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs. Spokesperson Pascal Confavreux highlighted that the discussions will serve as a preparatory step ahead of the G7 Leaders' Summit scheduled for June 13-15 in Evian. The meeting aims to frame actionable outcomes for leaders' deliberations, focusing on both immediate crises and long-term structural issues.
Key topics on the agenda include:
- The war in Ukraine: Sessions will cover reconstruction efforts, with a focus on nuclear safety, humanitarian demining, and funding mechanisms. The role of international financial institutions like the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) in mobilising investments for Ukraine's recovery will be emphasised.
- Maritime security: Discussions will tackle threats such as narco-traffic and critical minerals, including a dedicated session on maritime routes and freedom of navigation.
- Global governance reforms: The G7 aims to push for more effective multilateral frameworks to address horizontal threats endangering state sovereignties.
Bilateral Engagements and Broader Outreach
On the sidelines of the G7 meeting, EAM Jaishankar is expected to hold bilateral discussions with his counterparts from other nations. The meeting will also feature engagements with non-G7 partner countries, including ministers from South Korea, India, Saudi Arabia, Brazil, and Ukraine, reflecting a strategy of broader international outreach. Multiple side events and working lunches are planned to facilitate deeper exchanges among participants.
The French official noted that the meeting seeks to achieve concrete results, moving beyond informal gatherings to deliver impactful outcomes on global issues. This visit underscores India's active role in multilateral diplomacy and its commitment to addressing key international challenges through collaborative efforts.
