France

Why France is boosting military presence in West Asia as Macron eyes talks

France's government is bolstering the country's military presence in the Middle East, dispatching its aircraft carrier and other warships, while President Emmanuel Macron engages with key players in the conflict, including Iran, in a bid to position Paris for future diplomatic talks. Macron said that France's military involvement is strictly "defensive" and aims to avoid making the country a party to the war. He reaffirmed that position after one French soldier was killed Thursday in a drone attack in Iraq. "We are not at war with anyone," Macron said. Still, the large-scale deployment of the French navy - which he described as "unprecedented" - has made France the European nation with the most prominent presence in the region. Visiting the Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier last week, Macron said that its presence in the Mediterranean demonstrates "France's strength: a balancing power, a force for peace." Here's what to know about Macron' strategy. France's large naval ...

Iran's Araghchi tells France counterpart must refrain from escalating war

Iran urges restraint amid calls for naval deployments to secure shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global oil and LNG trade

Macron orders France's nuclear aircraft carrier to move to Mediterranean

French President Emmanuel Macron on Tuesday ordered France's nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to move from the Baltic Sea to the Mediterranean to help protect allied assets during the ongoing war in the Middle East. Macron said the Charles de Gaulle will be escorted by its air wing, and its escorting frigates. In a pre-recorded speech on French TV, Macron added that Rafale fighter jets, air-defence systems, and airborne radar systems have been deployed over the past few hours in the Middle East. "And we will continue this effort as much as necessary," Macron said. He cited Monday's strike on a British air force base on Cyprus, adding that Cyprus was a member of the European Union with which France has recently signed a strategic partnership. "This requires our support. That is why I have decided to send additional air-defense assets there as well, along with a French frigate, the Languedoc, which will arrive off the coast of Cyprus later this evening," Macron said.

France to boost nuclear arsenal amid uncertainty over US commitments

The move is a historic pivot for France, which has long insisted on preserving the independence of its nuclear stockpile

France to temporarily deploy nuclear aircraft to allies, says Macron

French President Emmanuel Macron announced Monday that France will increase its number of nuclear warheads from the current level of below 300, but did not give a figure for the increase. It will be the first time France increases its nuclear arsenal since at least 1992. "I have decided to increase the numbers of warheads of our arsenal," Macron said at a military base at L'Ile Longue in northwestern France that hosts the country's ballistic missile submarines. Macron's speech was aimed at spelling out how French nuclear weapons fit into Europe's security amid concerns raised on the continent by recurring tensions with US President Donald Trump.

Britain, France, and Germany ready to back US to stop Iran's strikes

Britain, France and Germany said they are ready to work with the US and partners to help stop Iran's retaliatory attacks. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, French President Emmanuel Macron and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said in a joint statement Sunday that they are "appalled" by Iran's "reckless" strikes on their allies, which are threatening their service members and citizens in the region. "We will take steps to defend our interests and those of our allies in the region, potentially through enabling necessary and proportionate defensive action to destroy Iran's capability to fire missiles and drones at their source. We have agreed to work together with the US and allies in the region on this matter," the statement said. It did not provide further details.

France bars US ambassador from meeting officials amid diplomatic row

The summons came after wide-ranging criticism from the US administration over the killing of 23-year-old Quentin Deranque in the French city of Lyon earlier this month

Louvre Museum director resigns in wake of October's theft, security lapses

The Louvre Museum's director resigned Tuesday after months of pressure following the October theft of the French crown jewels, as the world's most visited museum faced widening scrutiny over security failures, labour unrest and a suspected ticket fraud scheme. Laurence des Cars quit after a punishing year for the former royal palace - the high-profile jewels heist from the Apollo Gallery, a mid-February burst pipe near the "Mona Lisa," water leaks damaging priceless books, staff walkouts and a wildcat strike over overcrowding and understaffing. The landmark has faced a widening narrative of an institution spiralling out of control. And that pressure deepened in recent weeks when French authorities revealed a suspected decade-long ticket fraud operation linked to the museum that investigators say may have cost the Louvre 10 million euros (USD 11.8 million). President Emmanuel Macron accepted des Cars' resignation as "an act of responsibility" at a moment when the Louvre needs "calm"

Ministers will no longer meet US ambassador: French foreign minister

France's spat with the US ambassador to Paris took another turn Tuesday with the French foreign minister saying the top US diplomat in France must respond to a summons and won't have access to French government officials until he complies. French authorities had summoned Ambassador Charles Kushner - the father of US President Donald Trump's son-in-law and adviser Jared Kushner - for a meeting on Monday over comments from the Trump administration that France objected to. But Kushner did not show up, the foreign ministry said. The US Embassy did not immediately respond to repeated requests for comment. Speaking Tuesday, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot described the failure to attend the meeting as "a surprise" that flew in the face of diplomatic protocol and will dent Charles Kushner's ability to serve as an ambassador. "It will, naturally, affect his capacity to exercise his mission in our country," Barrot said, speaking to public broadcaster France Info. He said that Kush

India, France amend tax treaty, remove most-favoured nation clause

India and France have signed a protocol amending their DTAC, removing the MFN clause and revising dividend, capital gains and PE provisions to bring clarity and align with global tax standards

France visa: Indian travellers must book slots online first; no walk-ins

France visa for tourists: Planning a France trip? The government has made online visa booking compulsory for all applicants. Here is how the new digital process works

India removes 'most favoured nation' clause for France: What it means

India has removed the 'most favoured nation' clause from its tax treaty with France, aiming to reduce disputes and clarify tax rules

Govt amends tax treaty with France, revises dividend tax structure

The government said it has also modified how it taxes dividend income, replacing the existing flat 10 per cent rate ‌with a split structure

France to ease visa rules, expand English courses for Indian students

France student visa: Macron says France will streamline visa and sourcing procedures and expand English-taught programmes to attract more Indian students by 2030

India built what no other country could: Macron at India AI Summit 2026

Describing the India summit as a foundation for digital transformation, Macron said the summit reflected the need to shape AI growth responsibly amid rapid technological acceleration

France set to simplify visa norms for Indian students, says Macron

Macron announced plans to triple the number of Indian students in France and launched an Indo-French AI health centre, as both nations deepen cooperation in AI, mobility and nuclear R&D

French major Valeo plans to invest $236.7 million to expand sales in India

Valeo said it would be investing more than $236.7 million in the coming years to expand its presence in India

India, France sign declaration of intent on critical minerals cooperation

India and France agreed to deepen cooperation in exploration, extraction, processing, and recycling technologies of critical minerals and rare earths

'Partnership for global stability, progress': PM Modi after meeting Macron

PM Modi said he discussed cooperation in the industrial, defence, clean energy, space, and emerging technologies sectors with French President