New Delhi: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi on Thursday, emphasizing the need to reinvigorate and strengthen India’s engagement with Europe. The meeting took place as part of von der Leyen’s two-day bilateral visit to India, during which she is accompanied by members of the European College of Commissioners.
India-EU Relations in Focus
Following the meeting, Jaishankar took to social media platform X to highlight the importance of the discussions. “Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen today in Delhi. Appreciate her thoughts on reenergizing India’s engagement with Europe. The wide-ranging participation of Indian Ministers and EU College of Commissioners during this visit stands testimony to the importance we place on deeper India-EU ties,” he posted.
High-Level Talks with PM Modi
The European Commission President is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday, where discussions will focus on enhancing the strategic partnership between India and the European Union.
Upon her arrival in New Delhi, von der Leyen underscored the significance of the partnership between the EU and India. She posted on X, “Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level.”
She was warmly welcomed by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel.
A Strengthening Indo-Pacific Strategy
This visit marks Ursula von der Leyen’s third trip to India, following her bilateral visit in April 2022 and her participation in the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023. Over the years, she has engaged with PM Modi on multiple occasions at global forums, reflecting the growing importance of the India-EU relationship.
The visit also comes amid the EU’s ongoing efforts to strengthen its Indo-Pacific strategy, indicating its commitment to deepening ties with India.
Key Discussion Areas & Future Cooperation
The high-level discussions between India and the EU are expected to focus on a broad range of areas, including:
- Naval coordination in the Indo-Pacific
- Trade and investment agreements
- Supply chain resilience
- Digital technologies and semiconductor development
- Green hydrogen and clean energy cooperation
- Sustainable urbanization and water management
- Defense collaboration
- Space technology partnerships
As India and the European Union work towards formalizing agreements in key sectors, von der Leyen’s visit highlights the growing strategic alignment between the two partners. With a shared vision for economic growth, security, and sustainability, both sides aim to take their bilateral ties to new heights in the coming years.
