Jaishankar meets European Council president, values his role in advancing trade, technology cooperation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met European Council President Antonio Costa and said he valued his “guidance and warm sentiments” to boost trade and technology cooperation between the two sides.

Mr. Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Belgium from July 14-15 to attend the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting and interact with EU and Belgian counterparts in Brussels. He is accompanied by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State Jitin Prasada.

“I join my colleagues in appreciating the significant progress made in our partnership since the landmark India-EU summit earlier this year. Value his guidance and warm sentiments in advancing our trade and technology cooperation,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a post on X after meeting Mr. Costa.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar in a meeting with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas in Brussels, Belgium. Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar via PTI.

The India-EU Summit was held in New Delhi in January, when Mr. Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen visited New Delhi as the chief guests of the Republic Day.

The summit, co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European leaders, resulted in a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a new Security and Defense Partnership.

Mr. Jaishankar began his visit to Brussels with a meeting earlier with European Commission Vice-President Kaja Kallas, where they discussed the West Asian conflict and the importance of safe and unhindered maritime trade.

The External Affairs Minister said they also talked about advancing the India-EU Strategic Partnership to ensure resilience of the supply chain.

“I started my visit to Brussels by meeting EU Supreme Vice-President @kajakallas. Had useful discussions about West Asia and the need to ensure peace and stability. Exchanged views on the importance of safe and unhindered maritime trade,” Mr. Jaishankar said in a social media post.

Ms Kallas said this was a “historic year for EU-India relations”.

In a post on

“Together, we must defend freedom of navigation, protect open and flexible supply chains, as well as deepen cooperation between the EU’s ATALANTA and ASPIDES operations and the Indian navy to maintain security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” he said.

The Foreign Minister also met with Flanders Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and Minister Annick De Ridder.

“The India-EU Free Trade Agreement has provided a wide range of opportunities for India’s cooperation with Belgium. Opportunities for businesses and investments in the Flanders region were discussed,” he said.