Indian External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar began his visit to Belgium this week with a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. The discussions focused on enhancing bilateral cooperation and combating terrorism.
He appreciated Belgium's support in combating terrorism and welcomed their solidarity and emphasised the strong momentum in the India-EU partnership, highlighting the potential for collaboration in clean energy, mobility, and pharmaceuticals.
The two leaders discussed deepening cooperation in areas such as trade, investment, technology, defense, and security.
Dr Jaishankar said: "Pleased to meet DPM & FM Maxime Prevot at the start of my visit to Belgium. Welcomed Belgium's support and solidarity in combatting terrorism.
“Appreciated the strong momentum of our bilateral engagement and the India-EU partnership. Also held wide-ranging discussions on deepening our cooperation including in trade, investment, technology, defence and security, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and mobility."
In a pre-visit statement, India’s Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the Belgium leg would also see the EAM meet members of the Indian community during his visit.
"India and Belgium share warm and friendly relations along with a very robust economic partnership. Today the collaboration between the two countries spans various domains like trade and investment, green energy, technology, pharmaceutical, diamond sector and strong people-to-people ties," the statement read.
It emphasised that the visit is expected to further deepen India's friendly relations with the European Union, France and Belgium and give renewed momentum to ongoing cooperation in diverse areas.
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Dr Jaishankar's visit to Brussels comes three months after Princess Astrid of Belgium led a 300-member economic mission to India. The recent visit by Princess Astrid, who met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar, discussed key areas such as labour migration, pharmaceuticals, defence, diamonds, space exploration, and green energy.
Jaishankar is on an official visit to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium from June 8 to 14, MEA announced earlier. The visit marks a significant step in further strengthening India's strategic partnerships with Europe.
The External Affairs Minister (EAM) will travel to Paris and Marseille, France, where he will hold bilateral discussions with the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean Noel Barrot.
The EAM will hold a Strategic Dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas.
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According to the MEA, "India-European Union strategic partnership has strengthened over the years across diverse sectors and got a big boost with the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February this year."
Jaishankar will also meet senior leadership from the European Commission and European Parliament and interact with think tanks and media.
(ANI)
