New Delhi, Jan 24 (NationPress) The European Union's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, landed in India on Saturday for her inaugural official trip. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the significance of this visit in reinforcing the India–EU Strategic Partnership, especially in light of ongoing high-level interactions between the two parties.

MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal shared the news via a post on X, emphasizing the importance and timing of this visit for the bilateral ties.

“We extend a warm welcome to EU HRVP @kajakallas on her maiden official visit to India as the EU High Representative/Vice-President. This visit is well-timed to enhance the India–EU Strategic Partnership, building on the momentum from regular high-level engagements,” Jaiswal stated.

Kallas’ trip comes at a time of heightened diplomatic activity between India and the European Union, with both parties aiming to expand collaboration amidst global instability and geopolitical challenges.

Just the previous Thursday, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar engaged with ambassadors from EU member states in New Delhi. Jaishankar noted that discussions centered on the current global climate characterized by instability and rapidly evolving dynamics.

“I was pleased to converse with the ambassadors from EU nations today. We discussed the state of the world, where volatility and instability have become the new normal,” Jaishankar remarked on X following the meeting.

Jaishankar strongly advocated for closer India–EU cooperation, underscoring potential areas where their partnership could contribute to global stability. He stated that enhanced ties would facilitate “derisking the world economy” through collaboration on robust supply chains, reassure the global community by providing public goods such as Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), anti-piracy initiatives, and development projects, and foster a stable global order through improved trade, mobility, and security collaborations.

The engagement with EU ambassadors precedes the upcoming State Visit to India by European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. These two EU leaders are set to be the Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26, marking a pivotal moment in India–EU relations.

Jaishankar expressed anticipation for hosting the EU leaders, who are visiting at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During their stay, Costa and Ursula von der Leyen will co-chair the 16th India–EU Summit on January 27.

As part of their agenda, the EU leaders will meet with President Droupadi Murmu and hold both restricted and delegation-level discussions with Prime Minister Modi. An India–EU Business Forum is also slated to occur alongside the summit, underscoring the emphasis both sides place on economic cooperation and trade.

The series of high-level visits and diplomatic dialogues highlight the increasing strategic significance of the India–EU partnership in the face of global uncertainty and shared challenges.