New Delhi: India on Thursday welcomed France’s decision to operationalise visa-free transit for Indian nationals passing through French airports, calling it a significant step towards easing travel and strengthening people-to-people ties.
Addressing a weekly media briefing in New Delhi, Randhir Jaiswal, spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs, said the move fulfils an understanding reached earlier this year between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron.
“We welcome the announcement on the operationalisation of visa-free transit for Indian nationals transiting through French airports. As you may recall, the removal of the requirement of transit visas for Indian passport holders was agreed upon between the Prime Minister and President Macron during their meeting in Mumbai in February this year. The Government of France has now operationalised this agreement, and Indian nationals transiting through mainland France exclusively by air will no longer need a transit visa with effect from April 10, 2026,” Jaiswal said.
He added that the decision reflects the deepening India–France partnership, recently elevated to a Special Global Strategic Partnership during President Macron’s visit, and will facilitate smoother movement of people while enhancing bilateral ties.
In February, Prime Minister Modi and President Macron formally elevated the India–France relationship to a “Special Global Strategic Partnership” during high-level talks in Mumbai, marking a key milestone in bilateral relations. The visit, Macron’s fourth to India and his first to Mumbai, saw both leaders unveil an ambitious roadmap covering defence, technology, and health sectors, aligned with the Horizon 2047 vision.
Last week, Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri co-chaired the India–France Foreign Office Consultations with Martin Briens, Secretary General of the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Paris.
According to the MEA, the discussions spanned a wide range of areas, including defence, civil nuclear energy, space cooperation, cyber and digital collaboration, and artificial intelligence innovation, along with initiatives aimed at strengthening cultural and human connections, in the context of evolving global and regional developments.
With IANS inputs