Jaishankar Meets EU Leaders In Brussels

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met with President of the European Council Antonio Costa in Brussels on Wednesday, marking the beginning of a high-level diplomatic engagement aimed at further strengthening the India-European Union Strategic Partnership.

The meeting took place during Jaishankar's official visit to Belgium from July 14-15, 2026, where he is participating in the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting alongside senior Indian ministers and officials.

Following his meeting with President Costa, Jaishankar shared details on social media, stating that he conveyed warm wishes from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and recognized the significant progress in the partnership since the landmark India-EU summit earlier this year.

The meeting underscored the growing momentum in India-EU ties, particularly in trade, technology, innovation, and strategic collaboration. Earlier, Jaishankar announced the start of his Brussels visit, saying he held wide-ranging discussions with the European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas.

The discussions reflected the shared concern of both sides over evolving geopolitical developments, particularly in West Asia, and highlighted the importance of maintaining secure maritime routes and resilient global supply chains. Kaja Kallas described 2026 as a landmark year in India-EU relations and stressed the growing scope of bilateral cooperation.

Jaishankar's visit to Brussels is significant, as it comes at a time when India and the EU are seeking to strengthen their strategic partnership and cooperate on key issues such as trade, technology, and security. The India-EU Strategic Partnership has been growing in recent years, with both sides recognizing the importance of cooperation in areas such as counter-terrorism, non-proliferation, and climate change.

The EU is one of India's largest trading partners, and the two sides have been working to increase trade and investment flows. The India-EU Free Trade Agreement, which has been under negotiation for several years, is expected to further boost trade and economic cooperation between the two sides.

In addition to trade and economic cooperation, India and the EU have also been cooperating on security issues, including counter-terrorism and cybersecurity. The two sides have also been working together on global issues such as climate change and sustainable development.

Overall, Jaishankar's visit to Brussels is an important step in strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership and advancing cooperation on key issues such as trade, technology, and security. The visit reflects the growing importance of the India-EU relationship and the shared commitment of both sides to promoting peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

The meeting between Jaishankar and EU leaders is also significant in the context of India's growing global profile and its increasing engagement with major powers such as the EU. As India seeks to play a more prominent role in global affairs, its relationship with the EU is expected to become increasingly important.

In conclusion, Jaishankar's meeting with EU leaders in Brussels marks an important milestone in the India-EU Strategic Partnership and reflects the growing momentum in bilateral cooperation. The visit is expected to further strengthen ties between India and the EU and promote cooperation on key issues such as trade, technology, and security.