France embraces larger role in a troubled world

French Foreign Minister signals country's push for bigger presence in the Indo-Pacific

- Lin Suling

France's foreign policy is entering a new phase as Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot signaled a strong push for the country to have a greater presence across the European and Indo-Pacific theaters.

"France is an Indo-Pacific nation," Mr Barrot said at a press conference on March 25, marking the end of his first visit to Singapore. "We have a specific responsibility as a resident power with a role to play," he said, pointing to port calls and participation in multilateral exercises involving the Charles De Gaulle nuclear-powered aircraft carrier strike group as a "demonstration of the role we want to play in contributing to the stability and maritime security of the region."

Yet Mr Barrot, 41, demurred at suggestions that such efforts were aimed at Beijing. He preferred instead to frame his visit to China later this week as a follow-up to his last two meetings with Foreign Minister Wang Yi and a chance to exchange views on defending multilateralism and international law, as well as to build economic, cultural and scientific cooperation.

Mr Barrot, however, struck a defiant note when asked about European security affairs.