Jaishankar in France for G7 Meet; West Asia Crisis Tops Agenda
The Foreign Minister of India, S Jaishankar, embarked on a journey to France to participate in the G7 foreign ministers' assembly, to address the crisis in West Asia, particularly in coordinating endeavors to maintain the accessibility of the Strait of Hormuz for global maritime trade.
Although India is not a member of the G7, it has been extended an invitation to participate as a partner country by France, the current presiding nation of the influential group. The meeting is being attended by senior diplomats from the US, Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Japan, and the UK.
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The Minister of Foreign Affairs is scheduled to travel to Abbaye des-Vaux-de-Cernay in France on March 26 and 27 to take part in the G7 foreign ministers' summit with collaborating nations.
Jaishankar is anticipated to engage in one-on-one discussions with his international counterparts during the G7 summit, as stated in the report. Apart from extending an invitation to India, France has also extended invitations to Saudi Arabia, South Korea, and Brazil.
As per reports, there is a scheduled session that will focus on the West Asia crisis. The ministers will engage in discussions regarding the exploration of various negotiation channels to facilitate the de-escalation in the region and the recommencement of maritime routes, according to the official.
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The foreign ministers will also engage in discussions regarding strategies to address Iran's nuclear and ballistic program. Global oil and gas prices have experienced a significant increase following Iran's partial closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
This strategic waterway, situated between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, serves as a vital route for approximately 20 percent of the world's oil and liquefied natural gas (LNG) transportation.
West Asia has served as a primary supplier of energy resources for India. Over the past few weeks, India has been engaged in diplomatic endeavors aimed at resolving the conflict in West Asia swiftly and guaranteeing the uninterrupted passage of energy through the Strait of Hormuz.
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New Delhi believes that the ongoing blockade of the shipping lane could have significant implications for the fuel and fertiliser security of several countries, including India. The Group of Seven (G7) convenes seven of the globe's most developed economies, comprising Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the UK, and the US.
Additionally, the European Union holds membership within this collective. The G7 serves as the preferred platform for its member nations to engage in discussions and collaborate on addressing significant economic, financial, and geopolitical challenges at an international level.