Blinken, French counterpart discuss cooperation in Indo-Pacific, Sahel

Jaishankar said in a post on X, "Appreciate the exchange of assessments today with FM Jean-Noël Barrot of France on the West Asia conflict. Look forward to continuing it in person."

The Indian Army and the French Army conducted a Subject Matter Expert Exchange on March 9 and 10, aimed at strengthening professional military cooperation and enhancing mutual understanding on evolving aspects of modern warfare.

Deputy to the Chief of the Air and Space Force Staff in the French Air Force, Major General Dominique Tardif, on Friday stressed the need to address security threats in the Strait of Hormuz amid the ongoing West Asia conflict, saying international cooperation would be essential to tackle the current oil supply challenges.

Replying to PM Modi's post on X on Holi, Macron said in Hindi "Happy Holi, my friend!"

French and Belgian forces intercepted a "shadow fleet" oil tanker in the North Sea to enforce sanctions against Russia. Following a helicopter-assisted boarding by special forces, the vessel is being escorted to Zeebrugge for seizure, aiming to cut off funding for the war in Ukraine.