External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has met leaders of the European Parliament and welcomed their support for "stronger" India-EU relations. Jaishankar, who met the leaders on Tuesday during his visit to Belgium and Luxembourg, also praised their understanding of India’s right to defend itself against terrorism.
He had a "pleasure interacting" with European Parliament members Angelika Niebler, Urmas Paet, Pilar del Castillo, Vladimir Prebilič, and Winkler Gyula, the minister said in an X post.
"Welcomed their support for stronger India-EU ties. Also appreciate their understanding of India’s right to defend itself against terrorism," he said, adding that they "exchanged perspectives on global developments and regional issues." Earlier in the day, he also called on Belgium Prime Minister Bart De Wever and met King Philippe of Belgium.
Jaishankar also met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and praised her "strong condemnation" of the Pahalgam attack and solidarity in combating terrorism.
The April 22 Pahalgam terror attack claimed 26 lives, following which tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. India carried out precision strikes on terror infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir on May 7.
Turning to recent global coverage of the Pahalgam terror attack in Kashmir, in which 26 lives were lost, Jaishankar pushed back against the narrative that equates India’s response with regional tensions. “Let me remind you of something— there was a man named Osama bin Laden. Why did he, of all people, feel safe living for years in a Pakistani military town, right next to their equivalent of West Point?” he said.
Also read: If provoked, will strike deep into Pakistan: Jaishankar
"I want the world to understand— this isn’t merely an India-Pakistan issue. It’s about terrorism. And that very same terrorism will eventually come back to haunt you.”
On India’s position regarding the Russia-Ukraine conflict, Jaishankar reaffirmed India’s non-prescriptive stance. “We don’t believe that differences can be resolved through war— we don’t believe a solution will come from the battlefield. It’s not for us to prescribe what that solution should be. My point is, we’re not being prescriptive or judgemental – but we are also not uninvolved.”
Responding to criticism over India’s refusal to join sanctions against Russia, he said, “We have a strong relationship with Ukraine as well – it’s not only about Russia. But every country, naturally, considers its own experience, history and interests.” He further offered a historical perspective on India’s foreign policy outlook. “India has the longest-standing grievance – our borders were violated just months after independence, when Pakistan sent in invaders to Kashmir. And the countries that were most supportive of that? Western countries.”
“If those same countries — who were evasive or reticent then — now say ‘let’s have a great conversation about international principles’, I think I’m justified in asking them to reflect on their own past.”
On India’s role in the changing global order, Jaishankar emphasised multipolarity. “Multipolarity is already here. Europe now faces the need to make more decisions in its own interest— using its own capabilities, and based on the relationships it fosters globally.”
“I hear terms like ‘strategic autonomy’ being used in Europe— these were once part of our vocabulary. The EU is clearly a major pole in the global order— and increasingly an autonomous one. That is precisely why I’m here: to deepen our relationship in this multipolar world.”
Reacting to the EU’s climate policies, particularly the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Jaishankar expressed clear opposition. “Let’s not pretend — we’re opposed to parts of it. We have very deep reservations about CBAM and we’ve been quite open about it. The idea that one part of the world will set standards for everybody else is something which we are against.”
When asked whether he trusts US President Donald Trump, Jaishankar responded, “Meaning what?” On whether Trump is a partner India is willing to deepen ties with, he said, “I take the world as I find it. Our aim is to advance every relationship that serves our interests — and the US relationship is of immense importance to us. It’s not about personality X or president Y.”
Speaking on China, Jaishankar pointed to efforts by European companies to shift away from dependence on Chinese supply chains. “I just met with several European companies in India that have chosen to set up there specifically to de-risk their supply chains. Many companies are becoming increasingly careful about where they locate their data — they’d rather place it somewhere secure and trustworthy than simply go for efficiency. Would you really want that in the hands of actors you don’t feel comfortable with?”
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