External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Monday held extensive talks with his Belgian counterpart Maxime Prevot, focusing on enhancing bilateral cooperation across a broad range of sectors including trade, investment, technology, defence and security, clean energy, pharmaceuticals, and mobility. Prevot, who also serves as Belgium's Deputy Prime Minister, hosted Jaishankar at the start of the Indian minister's week-long visit to Europe.
The discussions come just weeks after India launched Operation Sindoor in response to the terror attack in Pahalgam, underlining the importance of global solidarity against terrorism. In this context, Jaishankar welcomed Belgium’s support and expressed appreciation for the growing strength of India’s bilateral relationship with Belgium and its strategic partnership with the European Union.
Taking to social media platform X, Jaishankar noted his satisfaction at meeting Prevot and emphasised the continued momentum in India’s bilateral engagements. He also highlighted the importance of collaborating in various areas, stating that India looks forward to deepening ties not only in economic fields but also in critical sectors such as clean energy and defence.
India and Belgium share long-standing warm and friendly ties, underpinned by strong economic relations. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted that the partnership now spans various sectors, including green energy, technology, pharmaceuticals, and the diamond trade, and is further strengthened by enduring people-to-people connections.
Jaishankar’s visit to Belgium is part of a broader European tour during which he is scheduled to meet senior leaders from the European Union and France. In Brussels, he will conduct a strategic dialogue with Kaja Kallas, the EU High Representative and Vice President. The MEA pointed out that the India-EU strategic partnership has seen significant growth in recent years and received a notable boost earlier this year with the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February.
The minister is also expected to engage with top officials from the European Commission and the European Parliament, and hold dialogues with think tanks and the media.
Following his engagements in Belgium, Jaishankar will travel to France, where he will meet his French counterpart Jean-Noël Barrot. He will also participate in the inaugural Mediterranean edition of the Raisina Dialogue, to be held in the port city of Marseille, aimed at strengthening regional cooperation and international dialogue on key global issues.
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