How is EAM Jaishankar Advocating for Stronger India-EU Relations Amid Global Instability?
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New Delhi, Jan 22 (NationPress) External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar engaged in a dialogue with Ambassadors from European Union (EU) member states in New Delhi on Thursday. He emphasized the current global scenario marked by volatility and instability.
This discussion precedes the upcoming State Visit to India by European Council President Antonio Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who are set to be the Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
“I was pleased to meet with the EU Ambassadors today. We discussed the current global landscape, where volatility and instability have become the new norm,” EAM Jaishankar shared on X after their meeting.
He made a compelling argument for strengthening India-EU relations to: mitigate risks in the global economy via resilient supply chains; reassure the international community by offering public goods such as HADR, anti-piracy operations, and development projects; and stabilize the global order through enhanced trade, mobility, and security partnerships.
Jaishankar expressed anticipation for the visit of the European Council President and the European Commission President for the Republic Day festivities.
The EU leaders, invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27.
During their visit, they will meet with President Droupadi Murmu and engage in both restricted and delegation-level discussions with Prime Minister Modi. An India-EU Business Forum is also expected to be held alongside the India-EU Summit.
“India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004. The 15th India-EU Summit took place virtually on July 15, 2020. Bilateral relations have significantly evolved, particularly after the EU College of Commissioners' historic visit to India in February 2025. The participation of EU leaders as Chief Guests at the Republic Day and the upcoming summit will further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and enhance collaboration in key areas of mutual interest,” noted the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) prior to the visit.
On Wednesday, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas indicated that Europe is prepared to forge a robust new agenda with India.
“Today, the EU has decided to advance the signing of a new Security and Defence Partnership, which will broaden our collaboration in domains such as maritime security, counterterrorism, and cyber-defence. I am eager to sign it next week during the EU-India Summit in New Delhi,” Kallas, who is also the Vice-President of the European Commission, shared on X.