External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is set to travel to France and Belgium this week for discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and emphasizing India's firm stance against terrorism.

His visit, scheduled from June 8 to 14, will include meetings with counterparts from both nations and a strategic dialogue with EU Foreign and Security Policy Chief Kaja Kallas, as per a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Jaishankar will be in Paris and Marseille, where he will meet with French Foreign Minister Jean Noel Barrot. In addition to engaging with France's senior leadership and think tanks, he will address the inaugural Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue in Marseille.

This trip will allow Jaishankar to inform his counterparts about India's military actions against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan-controlled areas, which were a response to the recent Pahalgam terror attack, as well as to discuss New Delhi's updated counter-terrorism strategy.

The bilateral relationship between India and France, characterized as a strategic partnership built on trust and commitment, has now reached a milestone of 25 years, according to the external affairs ministry.

In Brussels, Jaishankar will engage in a strategic dialogue with EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas, along with meetings with senior officials from the European Commission and European Parliament, and discussions with think tanks.

The strategic partnership between India and the EU received a significant boost following the EU college of commissioners' inaugural visit to New Delhi in February, during which both sides aimed to finalize a free trade agreement by the end of the year.

While in Belgium, Jaishankar will also hold bilateral talks with Belgian Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot and meet with the country's senior leadership.

India and Belgium enjoy amicable relations and a robust economic partnership, collaborating in areas such as trade, investment, green energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, and the diamond industry.

This visit is expected to further strengthen India's connections with the EU, particularly with France and Belgium, and enhance ongoing cooperation across various sectors, as indicated by the ministry.