External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar visited the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris on Saturday, expressing optimism that the renovated facility will serve as a hub for promoting Indian art and culture in Europe. In a post on X, EAM Jaishankar said, “Visited the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre in Paris. Witnessed impressive expressions of the cultural and spiritual heritage of India. Confident that the renovated facility will serve as a hub in Paris for deepening interest in Indian art and culture.”

The centre, managed by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), features vibrant Indian art exhibits, including tree-of-life murals with elephants and peacocks, and intricate miniature paintings reflecting India’s spiritual heritage. The visit aligns with bilateral commitments made by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and French President Emmanuel Macron in February to expand cultural hubs across Europe.

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Arriving in France on March 27 for the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, EAM Jaishankar emphasised the strategic importance of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) in strengthening global connectivity amid ongoing geopolitical tensions. He highlighted that conflicts in West Asia underscore the need for resilient trade routes and secure supply chains.

Addressing the session, he noted that India’s expanding trade agreements with the European Union, European Free Trade Association (EFTA), and the United Kingdom have enhanced the utility of IMEC. He also underlined the growing interest among international partners to operationalise the corridor and stressed the need for reforms in the United Nations Security Council while highlighting challenges faced by the Global South.

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