Brussels: On Monday, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar began his journey to Belgium by meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. The sessions focused on improving bilateral cooperation and combating terrorism.
He applauded Belgium's backing in combating terrorism and lauded their solidarity, stressing the solid pace in the India-EU relationship and noting opportunities for cooperation in clean energy, mobility, and pharmaceuticals.
The two leaders addressed methods to improve collaboration in sectors including trade, investment, technology, defense, and security.
EAM announced the news in a post on X on Monday, saying: Pleased to meet DPM and FM @prevotmaxime at the start of my trip to Belgium. Welcomed Belgium's assistance and solidarity in the fight against terrorism. Appreciated the robust pace of our bilateral collaboration as well as the India-EU alliance. We also had extensive talks on strengthening our collaboration in areas such as trade, investment, technology, defense and security, medicines, clean energy, and mobility.
Jaishankar's trip to Brussels occurs three months after Princess Astrid of Belgium conducted a 300-member trade delegation to India. Princess Astrid's recent trip, during which she met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar, addressed crucial subjects like as labor mobility, medicines, defense, diamonds, space exploration, and green energy.
Interestingly, Jaishankar's trip occurs in the midst of the detention of fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi in a Belgian prison. Choksi, who is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank for Rs 13,850 crore, was detained in mid-April following India's extradition request. India has an extradition agreement with Belgium, and the government is expected to push for Choksi's extradition during the EAM's visit.
Jaishankar will pay official visits to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium from June 8 to 14, 2025, according to the Ministry of External Affairs.
The visit represents a key step in deepening India's strategic connections with Europe. The EAM will first travel to Paris and Marseille, France, for bilateral meetings with Jean Noel Barrot, France's Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs.
The EAM will have a Strategic Dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas.
According to the MEA press release, India-European Union strategic relationship has grown over the years in a variety of industries, receiving a significant boost with the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February this year.
Jaishankar will also meet with top officials from the European Commission and European Parliament, as well as engage with think groups and the press.
The MEA stated in its statement that the EAM would also meet with members of the Indian community during his trip to Belgium.
The MEA emphasized that India and Belgium have warm and pleasant ties, as well as a strong economic cooperation. Today, the two countries cooperate on a variety of areas, including trade and investment, green energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, the diamond industry, and deep people-to-people ties.
The Ministry of External Affairs stated that the visit is expected to strengthen India's friendly ties with the European Union, France, and Belgium, as well as offer new impetus to existing collaboration in a variety of domains.
