External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar held wide-ranging discussions with top European Union leaders during his two-day visit to Brussels, focusing on strengthening strategic ties, expediting the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), and addressing key global challenges.
The visit, held from March 15–16 at the invitation of EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, reflects renewed high-level engagement between India and the European Union following the recent India-EU Summit.
Meetings with Top EU Leadership
During the visit, Jaishankar met:
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Antonio Costa, President of the European Council
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Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission
He conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Discussions focused on advancing priorities under the India–EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, including the early conclusion of the proposed FTA.
Focus on Trade, Defence and Technology Cooperation
Jaishankar also participated in the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting, chaired by Kaja Kallas, where he emphasized:
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Fast-tracking the India–EU FTA
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Strengthening defence and maritime cooperation
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Expanding collaboration under the Trade and Technology Council
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Enhancing partnerships in green energy and sustainable development
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Promoting mobility and people-to-people exchanges
He highlighted the growing alignment between India and the EU in maintaining global stability and strengthening multilateral cooperation.
Key Global Issues Discussed
The discussions also covered major international developments, including:
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The situation in West Asia
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The ongoing Ukraine conflict
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Developments in the Indo-Pacific region
Both sides stressed the importance of dialogue and diplomacy, especially in addressing tensions in West Asia and their impact on global energy security.
Bilateral Talks with European Counterparts
On the sidelines, Jaishankar held bilateral meetings with several European foreign ministers, including:
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Maxime Prevot (Belgium)
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Constantinos Kombos (Cyprus)
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Johann Wadephul (Germany)
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Georgios Gerapetritis (Greece)
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Tom Berendsen (Netherlands)
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Juraj Blanar (Slovakia)
The talks focused on boosting political engagement, trade and investment, defence cooperation, and collaboration in emerging technologies.
India and Belgium also agreed to establish a Strategic Dialogue at the foreign minister level, marking a step forward in bilateral relations.
Strengthening India–EU Strategic Partnership
In a separate meeting with Kaja Kallas, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to elevating India–EU ties and agreed to hold upcoming meetings of the Trade and Technology Council and Strategic Dialogue at the earliest.
Growing Momentum in India–EU Relations
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, the visit highlights the growing momentum in India–EU relations under the roadmap “Towards 2030: A Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda.”
The partnership aims to deepen cooperation across:
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Trade and investment
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Security and defence
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Technology and innovation
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Global governance
