BRUSSELS witnessed a key bilateral meeting on March 16 as India’s Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar conferred with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. The dialogue centered on fortifying ties between India and the European Union while addressing pressing international issues.
Key topics included the latest happenings in West Asia and the Ukraine conflict, showcasing aligned viewpoints. Jaishankar commended von der Leyen’s perspective on global affairs during their productive session.
On X, Jaishankar posted about the ‘delightful’ afternoon meeting, noting her January visit to India as a turning point. ‘We are actively working on follow-ups. Appreciate her views on global developments,’ he stated.
Echoing this, von der Leyen highlighted progress on the FTA and security partnership signed at the January EU-India Summit. Her X update read: ‘Now focusing on efficient implementation to benefit Europe and India’s people swiftly. Discussed Middle East and Ukraine—peace, stability, and energy security are our shared goals.’
The visit, part of a two-day itinerary in Belgium, was prompted by an invitation from Kaja Kallas to join the Foreign Affairs Council. Jaishankar will hold discussions with EU leaders and ministers from various member states, including Belgium.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, this outreach builds on the recent 16th India-EU Summit, promising deeper strategic engagement. PM Modi’s January 27 announcement of the FTA underscored its potential to unlock opportunities for economic players on both sides.
These interactions come at a crucial juncture, reinforcing India-EU synergy in trade negotiations, defense cooperation, and responses to geopolitical shifts. Observers see this as a step toward a more resilient partnership.