India in Belgium & Luxembourg

Glimpses of my #Brussels visit #EuropeanUnion #ForeignAffairsCouncil

Concluded a productive visit to Brussels, meeting with the #EuropeanUnion Foreign Affairs Council, calling on Presidents of the @EUCouncil António Costa and @EU_Commission @vonderleyen, and holding talks with EU HRVP @kajakallas. Also met EU counterparts and held separate bilateral discussions with many. Ten key messages in these conversations were: ✅ The finalization of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) represents a turning point in 🇮🇳 🇪🇺 ties. Will not only unlock its enormous economic potential but express the strategic nature of our engagement. ✅ To realize the gains of FTA on the ground, the two sides should proactively assist each other in practical activities, including trade and investment promotion. ✅ The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) can be upgraded and repurposed to facilitate collaboration in critical and cutting-edge technologies. ✅ De-risking supply chains and enhancing resilience are shared objectives. The FTA will encourage deeper business linkages to that end. ✅ Mobility of skills and talent flows are very important. The establishment of the Legal Gateway Office in India is noteworthy. We have a common interest in promoting Global Capability Centers (GCCs) in India. ✅ The Security and Defence Partnership will be taken forward. Will endeavour to conclude the Security of Information Agreement early. ✅ Connectivity is also prominent in our agenda. Will work together to give practical shape to IMEC and other such initiatives. ✅ As multilateralism comes under stress, India and the EU will strive to strengthen its institutions and practices. ✅ Our Strategic Partnership will be carried out through close and regular consultations at the leadership level. Domain specific mechanisms will support those efforts. ✅ In a multipolar and uncertain world, the India-EU partnership will act as a factor of stability and resilience.

A wrap-up meeting with EU HRVP @kajakallas in Brussels. Thanked her for inviting me to the Foreign Affairs Council meeting. Our conversations on various bilateral and global issues were enriching. Agreed to maintain close and continuing contact.

Delighted to call on @eucopresident António Costa in Brussels. @EUCouncil His guidance and support have taken India-EU ties to a new level. Conveyed our deep appreciation in that regard. Look forward to his continued encouragement.

Good to meet FM Tom Berendsen of the Netherlands this afternoon. @ministerBZ Congratulated him on his recent appointment. Discussed advancing collaboration in semiconductors, AI, water management, and other cutting-edge technologies. Appreciated his commitment to advancing the India-EU ties. 🇮🇳 🇳🇱

Nice to meet Greece FM Giorgos Gerapetritis at the Europa building in Brussels. Our conversation focused on enhancing diplomatic presence, strengthening connectivity and promoting trade. Also discussed repercussions of the West Asia conflict. @GreeceMFA 🇮🇳 🇬🇷

Glad to meet FM Slovakia Juraj Blanár today. The visit of President @PellegriniP_ to India #IndiaAIActionSummit has provided new momentum to our relations. Discussed our bilateral agenda, including furthering cooperation in manufacturing, defence and space. 🇮🇳 🇸🇰

Great to meet FM @JoWadephul of Germany. A valuable exchange of notes on the conflict in West Asia. Also took stock of the progress of our bilateral relations following the State visit of @bundeskanzler Friedrich Merz to India. 🇮🇳 🇩🇪

Delighted to meet my fellow Foreign Ministers from #EuropeanUnion today in Brussels. Thank EU HRVP @kajakallas for inviting me to this Foreign Affairs Council Meeting. A new chapter in India-EU ties has opened up in 2026. The Foreign Ministers coordinate translating the various agreements into outcomes. Our conversation today therefore covered trade, investment, technology, mobility and defence in particular. The stronger convergence between India and EU in a multipolar world is also expressed in closer consultations. Discussed the West Asia conflict, the Ukraine situation and the Indo-Pacific in today’s gathering. 🇦🇹 🇧🇪 🇧🇬 🇭🇷 🇨🇾 🇨🇿 🇩🇰 🇪🇪 🇫🇮 🇫🇷 🇩🇪 🇬🇷 🇭🇺 🇮🇪 🇮🇹 🇱🇻 🇱🇹 🇱🇺 🇲🇹 🇳🇱 🇵🇱 🇵🇹 🇷🇴 🇸🇰 🇸🇮 🇪🇸 🇸🇪

A pleasure to call on President @EU_Commission Ursula von der Leyen this afternoon. @vonderleyen Her highly successful State visit to India this January marks a turning point in our ties. We are following up vigorously on it. Appreciate her insights on contemporary global developments. 🇮🇳🇪🇺

Started Day 2 in Brussels, meeting with FM @prevotmaxime of Belgium. Discussed intensifying our cooperation in trade & investment, semiconductors, health, technology & innovation. Agreed to establish a Strategic Dialogue. 🇮🇳 🇧🇪