France Signals Support for India, Macron Asserts ‘India Will Not Be Anyone’s Vassal’

New Delhi / Paris: Ahead of his official visit to India next month, French President Emmanuel Macron made a clear statement signaling support for India’s strategic autonomy. During a meeting with Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in Paris, Macron emphasized that India will not become a vassal of any nation, underlining the country’s sovereign decision-making in international affairs.

A Message Amid Shifting Geopolitics

Macron’s remarks come at a time when U.S. foreign policy under Donald Trump has been perceived as increasingly unilateral. The French president’s acknowledgment of India’s independent stance reflects a broader geopolitical shift, highlighting India’s growing role as a strategic and economic power in the global arena.

India’s Global Leadership Rising

Macron also confirmed his participation in the AI Impact Summit in Delhi next month, a platform where India aims to assert leadership for the Global South. The summit will host global leaders, including the Presidents of Brazil and the Prime Minister of Canada, further demonstrating India’s rising influence on international stages.

Strengthening Ties with Europe

Prior to meeting Macron, Jaishankar engaged with France’s Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and participated in the first India-Weimar Format discussions with Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski and Germany’s Foreign Minister Johan Wadephul. The discussions focused on India-EU relations, Indo-Pacific stability, and the ongoing Ukraine conflict, underscoring India’s proactive diplomatic engagement in Europe.

India’s Geopolitical Assertion

In the context of growing U.S.-China tensions and shifting alliances, India is increasingly recognized by European partners as a stabilizing force in regional and global geopolitics. Jaishankar noted that India’s visit to Europe is a carefully considered move, aimed at elevating bilateral relations and expanding India’s influence in international economic and strategic affairs.

This statement by Macron marks a significant diplomatic signal that India’s sovereignty and global role are being recognized and supported by major European powers, even amid complex U.S.-led geopolitical dynamics.