Brussels, July 15: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with European Council President Antonio Costa in Brussels on Wednesday. The discussion focused on enhancing the India-European Union strategic partnership, emphasizing trade, technology, innovation, and strategic cooperation.
Jaishankar is on an official visit to Belgium from July 14 to 15, during which he is participating in the third meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC). He is accompanied by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technology Jitendra Prasad, and India’s Chief Scientific Advisor Ajay K. Sood.
Following his meeting with Costa, Jaishankar expressed his pleasure on social media platform ‘X’, sharing greetings from Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Costa.
Jaishankar highlighted the significant progress made in the partnership since the historic India-EU summit held earlier this year. He appreciated Costa’s guidance and positive outlook in revitalizing trade and technological cooperation.
Upon arriving in Brussels, Jaishankar also met with High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell.
Jaishankar noted that the discussions included the current situation in West Asia, the need for peace and stability in the region, and the importance of secure and uninterrupted maritime trade. The dialogue also addressed advancing the India-EU strategic partnership and strengthening the global supply chain.
Both sides expressed shared concerns regarding the changing geopolitical landscape in West Asia, emphasizing the critical need for secure maritime routes and robust global supply chains.
Kaja Kallas, following the meeting, stated on ‘X’ that 2026 is a historic year for India-EU relations. She remarked that cooperation in areas such as trade, technology, security, and defense is continuously deepening.
Kallas emphasized the necessity for India and the EU to jointly protect the freedom of navigation in maritime routes, secure open and resilient supply chains, and enhance collaboration between the Indian Navy and EU operations ‘Atalanta’ and ‘EUNAVFOR MED’ to ensure maritime security in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
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