Jaishankar in France for G7 Meet on West Asia Crisis

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar traveled to France on March 26, 2026, for the G7 Foreign Ministers’ meeting. The main topic of discussion is the crisis in West Asia, with a focus on keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping.

India, though not a G7 member, was invited as a partner by France, which currently leads the group. Diplomats from the U.S., Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and the U.K. are also attending.

Jaishankar is scheduled to meet with other foreign ministers at Abbaye des-Vaux-de-Cernay in France on March 26 and 27. He will also hold one-on-one talks with his counterparts during the meeting.

Alongside India, France has invited Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Brazil to participate.

The G7 is a group of seven advanced economies: Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the U.K., and the U.S. The European Union also works closely with the bloc on global issues.

At the meeting, foreign ministers will discuss ways to ease tensions in West Asia and reopen blocked maritime routes. They will also explore how to address Iran’s nuclear and ballistic programs.

The crisis has caused global oil prices to rise after Iran nearly closed the Strait of Hormuz, which carries about 20% of the world’s oil and LNG. This is a major concern for India, which relies heavily on West Asia for energy supplies.

India has been actively working to end the conflict in West Asia and ensure that energy continues to flow through the Strait of Hormuz. If the shipping lane remains blocked, it could threaten fuel and fertilizer supplies for many countries, including India.