India on Friday, 23 October, urged its nationals in France, Italy and Belgium to exercise caution as protests over rising living costs spread across Europe, with French authorities preparing a major security operation to prevent further violence during demonstrations scheduled for the weekend.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said Indian diplomatic missions were closely monitoring developments and maintaining contact with community members in the affected countries.

“We have our missions in France, Italy and Belgium, and they are closely following the developments there. They are in regular touch with our community members,” MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said at a media briefing on Friday.

Bi-Weekly Media Briefing by the Official Spokesperson (October 23, 2026) https://t.co/02UiEhucZG

— Randhir Jaiswal (@MEAIndia) October 23, 2026

Indian nationals have been advised to remain vigilant, avoid areas where demonstrations are taking place and follow instructions issued by local authorities, Jaiswal said.

The warning comes as European governments confront growing public anger over energy prices, household expenses, housing costs and public services. Demonstrations have disrupted several major cities, with violence in France and Italy prompting arrests, restrictions on gatherings and additional security deployments.

France prepares for another weekend of protests

France has become the center of the latest unrest, following nationwide demonstrations on Saturday, 17 October, that escalated into rioting, looting and clashes with police.

The protests, driven partly by rising fuel prices and the cost of living, have drawn students, workers, trade unions and other groups dissatisfied with economic conditions and government policies.

The violence has also intensified political tensions ahead of France’s 2027 presidential election, putting President Emmanuel Macron’s government under pressure to restore order without imposing sweeping restrictions on peaceful demonstrations.

French authorities plan to deploy 70,000 police officers and gendarmes on Saturday, 24 October, supported by helicopters, drones, armored vehicles, water cannons and specialist units.

Interior minister Laurent Nuñez has warned that authorities will take a tough approach toward rioters and looters. Demonstrations have been restricted or banned in several cities, although student organizations and unions have indicated that protests will continue.

Security concerns have prompted major cultural institutions in Paris, including the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, to announce temporary closures. Art Basel Paris has also canceled its weekend program.

French authorities say about 3,000 businesses were ransacked during the previous weekend’s unrest, illustrating the scale of the damage and the challenges facing police as further demonstrations approach.

Historic town hall fire intensifies tensions

One of the most serious incidents occurred in Limoges, central France, where protesters set fire to the city’s historic town hall on 17 October. The building, inaugurated in 1883, suffered extensive damage as flames swept through its roof and caused its clock tower to collapse.

The destruction shocked residents and became one of the most prominent images of the unrest. According to Le Monde, about 5,500 people had participated in demonstrations in Limoges before a group attacked the municipal building. The following evening, about 7,000 residents gathered to condemn the violence.

French investigators subsequently arrested suspects in connection with the fire. Authorities have examined possible links to ultra-left activists, although responsibility for the attack remains a matter of investigation.

President Macron has blamed violent groups for exploiting public demonstrations and announced plans for tougher restrictions on unlawful protests.

The government’s response has drawn criticism from unions and opposition groups concerned that measures aimed at preventing violence could also restrict legitimate political activity.

The unrest is adding to France’s economic difficulties. Government borrowing costs have risen amid concerns about political instability, public finances and the possibility of a credit-rating downgrade.

France’s 10-year government bond yield climbed to 5.14% on Thursday, its highest level since July 2002.

Italy deploys troops as protests turn violent

Italy has also experienced serious disturbances, particularly in Milan, where demonstrations over living costs and economic conditions descended into clashes with police and attacks on businesses.

According to Le Monde, authorities made 271 arrests following unrest in Milan, while the government announced plans to deploy 500 additional soldiers to reinforce security.

Protests have also affected Turin and Bologna, with demonstrations and transport disruptions reported in several cities.

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni condemned attacks on police and public property while defending the right to peaceful assembly.

“Demonstrating is a right. Setting our cities ablaze is not,” Meloni said on Sunday, 18 October.

The Italian government reported that police officers were injured during clashes in Milan, while security personnel intercepted people carrying cobblestones and hammers in Turin. A railway station in Bologna was temporarily closed as a precaution.

Italy’s largest labor union has called a general strike for 20 November, raising the prospect of further disruption.

The Indian Embassy in Rome issued an advisory on Monday, 19 October, urging nationals to avoid crowded areas and locations where demonstrations are taking place.

The warning covers Indian residents, students and travelers who could encounter protests or disruption to local transportation.

Belgium, other European countries face unrest

Belgium has witnessed demonstrations in Brussels and Liège, where protesters have clashed with police, damaged property and blocked roads.

Nearly 200 arrests were reported following violent demonstrations, according to Le Monde. Student and teachers’ protests have added to the pressure on authorities.

The unrest is not confined to the three countries specifically mentioned by India’s foreign ministry. Spain has seen demonstrations over housing costs, including protest encampments in Madrid. Teachers have staged strikes, while unions are planning a general strike for 11 November.

In Portugal, protesters have organized large rallies and tent encampments against rising housing costs, low wages and pension pressures. Although the demonstrations share economic grievances, their immediate causes and levels of violence differ considerably. Protests in Spain have remained largely peaceful, unlike the serious disturbances reported in parts of France and Italy.

The protests reflect mounting pressure on European households as higher energy prices, housing costs and weak purchasing power strain family budgets.

In France, grievances over deteriorating public services and conditions in schools have combined with anger over fuel prices and the broader cost of living.

Italy has faced demonstrations involving students, workers and transport unions, while housing affordability has become a central issue in Spain and Portugal.

The unrest has also exposed political divisions over how governments should respond.

Authorities have argued that tougher security measures are necessary to prevent looting, arson and attacks on police. Trade unions and civil liberties advocates, however, have raised concerns about restrictions on public gatherings and the treatment of peaceful demonstrators.

The European Commission has defended the right to peaceful protest while condemning violence and attacks on property.

Political parties across the continent are seeking to capitalize on dissatisfaction with governments’ handling of economic conditions, adding another dimension to the unrest ahead of national elections.

What Indian nationals have been advised to do

India’s warning is precautionary and does not amount to a general recommendation against travel to Europe. The Indian Embassy in Paris issued a formal advisory on Wednesday, 21 October, citing recent developments and localized curfews.

The embassy asked Indian nationals to avoid large gatherings, stay away from demonstrations and follow instructions issued by French authorities. It also advised travelers to monitor local news and public transportation updates, particularly in cities where demonstrations could affect buses, trains and metro services.

The advisory directed nationals to the French government’s official website and the Paris regional transport operator RATP for updates.

Emergency contacts published by Indian diplomatic missions include:

Mission Emergency telephone
Indian Embassy, Paris +33 6 48 34 00 63
Indian Consulate, Marseille +33 7 43 16 25 59
Indian Embassy, Rome +39 331 614 2085
Indian Consulate, Milan +39 388 164 7527

The Paris embassy can also be contacted at cons.paris@mea.gov.in.

Jaiswal said India’s missions would continue monitoring developments and remain in contact with Indian communities.

“Our embassies in France and Italy have also issued advisories for our nationals, which they must follow. On our part, we remain committed to the welfare and safety of all our nationals abroad,” he said.

French authorities are now preparing for Saturday’s demonstrations, which will test whether the increased security presence can prevent a repeat of last weekend’s violence.