Indian Embassy issues advisory amid France protests as Macron slams Trump

The Indian Embassy advised Indians in France to remain vigilant and avoid protest areas. Fresh rallies and a nationwide strike threaten to renew unrest over living costs.

In Short

• More than 2,500 people were detained after looting, arson and clashes
• Paris, Marseille and Lyon saw businesses and public buildings damaged
• Student groups plan rallies, while unions schedule a November 5 strike

The Indian Embassy in Paris has issued an advisory for Indian nationals living in France and those planning to travel to the country, urging them to remain vigilant amid violent protests, clashes and localised curfews imposed after a weekend of unrest.

“In view of the recent developments and localised curfews imposed in France, please remain vigilant and exercise due caution,” the embassy said.

It asked Indians to avoid large gatherings and crowded places where demonstrations are taking place and follow instructions issued by French authorities.

“In case of any emergency, Indian nationals can contact: Embassy of India, Paris: +33 6 48 34 00 63 | cons.paris@mea.gov.in,” the advisory added.

WHAT HAPPENED IN FRANCE?

France witnessed some of its worst urban violence in years recently, when demonstrations over rising living costs, deteriorating public services and concerns about education escalated into looting, arson and clashes with police in cities including Paris, Marseille and Lyon.

The unrest followed weeks of protests and student demonstrations over rising prices, inadequate school facilities and growing dissatisfaction with public services. Businesses and public buildings were damaged, while shopkeepers reported widespread looting.

More than 2,500 people were taken into custody following the violence, Justice Minister Grald Darmanin said. Authorities also reported that hundreds of suspects had been referred for prosecution.

French authorities imposed targeted overnight curfews and restrictions on gatherings in parts of Paris and other cities. Prime Minister Sbastien Lecornu said the measures had helped restore calm, while acknowledging shortcomings in the security response.

FRESH PROTESTS PLANNED

Despite the relative calm following the curfews, further demonstrations are planned for Thursday and Saturday. France's main student union, UNEF, has called for fresh rallies, while groups associated with the Yellow Vest movement have also announced plans to protest over rising fuel costs.

The government has promised a significantly reinforced security deployment to prevent a repeat of the previous weekend's violence. Lecornu has also held talks with trade unions to address concerns over public safety and the right to demonstrate.

Labour unions are separately planning a nationwide strike on November 5 over the cost of living and cuts to public services.

TRUMP LINKS UNREST TO IMMIGRATION

The violence has also triggered a political dispute beyond France. US President Donald Trump seized on the unrest to attack immigration policies, claiming France was being “conquered, looted, and burned to the ground by migrants, jihadists, and communists”.

Trump used the scenes of violence to warn Americans about what he described as the consequences of immigration and political policies pursued by his opponents ahead of the US midterm elections.

Other foreign leaders have also commented on the unrest, prompting a sharp response from French President Emmanuel Macron.

MACRON SLAMS FOREIGN LEADERS' COMMENTS

French President Emmanuel Macron, Speaking during a visit to Qatar on Wednesday, criticised foreign leaders for using the unrest in France for political purposes, describing their comments as “as unacceptable as they are stupid”. Asked whether his remarks were directed at US President Donald Trump, Macron replied, “Among others,” indicating that his criticism extended to other foreign leaders as well. He also accused some leaders of spreading disinformation, including through AI-generated images depicting events that had not taken place.

Speaking during a visit to Qatar on Wednesday, Macron criticised foreign leaders for using the violence in France for political gain. Although he did not initially name Trump, he later confirmed that the US president was among those he was referring to.

He said some leaders were campaigning at France's expense and warned against exploiting the unrest for domestic political purposes. Macron also vowed to prevent a repeat of the violence during the planned demonstrations on Thursday and Saturday.

"AI-generated images depicting scenes that never actually happened in France. We've had people claiming that we were invaded by hordes of migrants and Islamists, which is completely false," he said.

MACRON VISITS GULF TO SECURE FUEL SUPPLIES

Macron's comments came during a Gulf tour aimed at strengthening energy partnerships and securing additional fuel supplies as France faces pressure from rising energy costs.

During the visit, the United Arab Emirates and Bahrain pledged to supply France with a combined additional 200,000 tonnes of diesel per month, according to reports. The agreements are intended to ease pressure on fuel supplies and help address rising costs.

The energy push comes as the cost of living remains a central source of public anger in France. The government now faces the twin challenges of containing further unrest and addressing economic grievances that have fuelled the protests.

- Ends
With inputs from agencies