Jaishankar heads to Europe: Strategic talks with EU, defence push in France post Operation Sindoor
S Jaishankar's Europe visit aims to bolster strategic ties with France, engage with the EU, and strengthen economic partnerships with Belgium. Discussions with France will focus on their 25-year strategic partnership, with India seeking to replenish its arsenal of French-origin weapons, including Rafale fighter jets and SCALP missiles, following their effective use in recent cross-border actions.
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New Delhi: External affairs minister S Jaishankar will hold a strategic dialogue with the European Union, look to exchange notes and strengthen bilateral ties with France and boost the economic partnership with Belgium during a week-long visit to Europe starting Sunday.The visit comes after the recent cross-border action against terrorists which escalated into a larger military conflict that ended with precision strikes on Pakistani air bases and military installations before a ceasefire was announced.On the first leg of his visit, the minister will visit France, which is India's strongest partner in Europe. India and France have completed 25 years of strategic partnership and during the visit, the minister will participate in the inaugural edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue being held in Marseille.Jaishankar will also have bilateral discussions with his counterpart, minister for Europe and foreign affairs of France Jean Noel Barrot, and will engage with the senior leadership of France, besides interacting with think tanks.India and France share a similar outlook on many regional and global issues and the Indian armed forces have relied on cutting edge technology and weapons from French manufacturers. In the recent conflict with Pakistan, the French origin Rafale fighter jet was extensively used to target terror infrastructure and military installations across the border.India is looking to replenish its stocks and is placing orders for additional SCALP missiles that were used to effectively target airbases and terror camps in Pakistan. India will also acquire a number of the Meteor air-to-air missiles , which outmatch the Chinese and American origin equipment used by the Pakistan Air Force. There is a sense of urgency as Operation Sindoor has still not been called off.
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