New Delhi, April 13 (NationPress) - The External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar engaged in discussions with Manfred Weber, the President of the European People's Party and a member of the European Parliament, in Delhi on Monday.

During their conversation, both leaders emphasized the importance of sustaining the positive momentum in India-EU relations and the timely ratification of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).

"I am delighted to have met with Manfred Weber, President of the European People's Party, here in Delhi. We concurred on the necessity to maintain the positive trajectory of our relationship and expedite the ratification of the India-EU FTA," Jaishankar expressed on X.

Earlier this year, significant progress was achieved in trade negotiations with the EU, culminating in a historic FTA. The discussions concluded on January 27 during the 16th India-EU Summit held in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, regarded it as a historic milestone and termed it the "mother of all deals."

In the previous month, EAM Jaishankar met with a visiting delegation from the European Parliament, led by Angelika Niebler, in New Delhi to discuss the new chapter in India-EU relations and the increasing alignment between both parties.

"I was pleased to engage with the Members of the European Parliament led by Angelika Niebler in Delhi. We discussed the new chapter in India-EU relations and the growing convergence between us. As our cooperation agenda broadens, so will our mutual trust. I am confident that the European Parliament will be a supportive ally in this new era," Jaishankar noted on X.

In March, EAM Jaishankar visited Brussels, where he conversed with leaders and foreign ministers of the European Union about the vast economic potential under the recently established India-EU FTA to foster collaboration in trade, technology, security, and connectivity.

During his Brussels visit, he also met members of the EU Foreign Affairs Council, engaging in talks with senior European leaders, including Antonio Costa, Ursula von der Leyen, and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas.

The External Affairs Minister pointed out that finalizing the FTA would signify a major advancement in bilateral relations, noting that it symbolizes a turning point in India-EU interactions.

"The finalization of the FTA signifies a pivotal moment in India-EU relations. It will not only unleash its vast economic potential but also underscore the strategic nature of our partnership," he remarked.

He further stressed that de-risking supply chains and enhancing resilience are shared goals, asserting that the FTA will foster deeper business connections in pursuit of these objectives.

Moreover, EAM Jaishankar indicated that both parties would enhance their security cooperation by advancing the Security and Defence Partnership and expressed intentions to finalize the Security of Information Agreement at the earliest.