External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr S Jaishankar began a week-long visit to Europe on Sunday with the objective of holding high-level discussions aimed at enhancing bilateral relations and reaffirming India’s unwavering stance against terrorism. The visit includes key engagements in France, the European Union, and Belgium.
Jaishankar’s visit comes in the wake of the recent Operation Sindoor, which was launched by India in response to the deadly terror attack in Pahalgam. During his meetings, Jaishankar is expected to brief European leaders on India’s resolute approach to combating cross-border terrorism and emphasize New Delhi's policy of zero-tolerance toward such threats.
The first stop on Jaishankar’s European tour is France, a nation India considers a time-tested strategic partner. According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the External Affairs Minister will travel to Paris and Marseille, where he will hold bilateral talks with Jean-Noël Barrot, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs.
In addition to official discussions, Jaishankar will participate in the inaugural edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue, which will take place in Marseille. This platform is expected to facilitate in-depth conversations on regional and global strategic issues, further solidifying cooperation between India and France.
In Brussels, Jaishankar will engage in a strategic dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President, Kaja Kallas. The visit reflects the deepening strategic partnership between India and the European Union, which has seen consistent growth across multiple sectors. The MEA highlighted that the relationship was significantly bolstered earlier this year during the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February.
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While in Brussels, the External Affairs Minister will also interact with senior leadership from the European Commission and the European Parliament. He will further hold discussions with representatives from leading think tanks and the media, underscoring India’s emphasis on policy dialogue, global engagement, and transparency.
The final stop on Jaishankar’s itinerary is Belgium, where he will hold wide-ranging consultations with key members of the Belgian leadership. His primary bilateral meeting will be with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prévot.
The MEA noted that India and Belgium share warm and friendly relations built on a strong foundation of mutual respect and robust economic engagement. The bilateral partnership encompasses areas such as trade and investment, green energy, technological innovation, the pharmaceutical and diamond industries, as well as deep-rooted people-to-people ties.
During his time in Belgium, Jaishankar is scheduled to meet other senior leaders and will also interact with members of the Indian diaspora, acknowledging the important role the Indian community plays in nurturing bilateral ties and fostering cultural exchange. Jaishankar’s tour is being closely watched as a strategic diplomatic engagement aimed at reinforcing India’s global partnerships, particularly in the context of shared security concerns, evolving economic collaborations, and India's growing voice on the world stage.
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