External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar on Sunday began a two-day visit to Brussels for talks with foreign ministers of the European Union, with discussions expected to focus on strengthening strategic ties and reviewing progress on the recently concluded Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
The visit marks the first high-level engagement from India with the Brussels-based bloc since the two sides finalised a landmark trade deal earlier this year.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Jaishankar is travelling to the Belgian capital at the invitation of Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice President of the European Commission.
During the visit, Jaishankar will interact with foreign ministers of the 27 member states of the European Union at the bloc’s Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
“During the visit, the external affairs minister will also hold meetings with the leadership of the European Union, and his counterparts from Belgium and other EU member states,” the ministry said in a statement.
It added that the trip comes soon after the 16th India-EU Summit, held earlier this year, which marked a significant step in advancing cooperation between the two sides.
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“The visit of the external affairs minister coming soon after the historic 16th India-EU summit is expected to further deepen India's strategic partnership with the European Union,” the ministry said.
India and the EU sealed the Free Trade Agreement, widely described as the “mother of all deals”, following talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the EU leadership on January 27.
The agreement is expected to boost trade and investment flows, expand market access, and deepen economic integration between India and the European bloc.
Jaishankar’s visit also comes amid the ongoing US–Iran conflict, with discussions likely to cover the geopolitical and economic implications of the crisis, particularly its potential impact on global energy supplies.
Officials indicated that both sides may exchange views on ensuring stability in energy flows and safeguarding economic interests in the face of evolving geopolitical tensions.
India and the EU share a broad strategic partnership covering trade, technology, climate cooperation, connectivity, and regional security.
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