December 10, 2024 at 4:38 p.m. IST
The decision was taken during a telephone call between EAM S Jaishankar and Kaja Kallas, the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy.
NEW DELHI: India and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday agreed to hold the first strategic foreign policy ministerial dialogue between the two sides, with the move seen as part of preparations for the India-EU summit to be held in next year.
The decision to hold the dialogue was taken during a telephonic conversation between Foreign Minister S Jaishankar and Kaja Kallas, the new EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy. Kallas resigned as Estonian prime minister earlier this year to become EU foreign policy chief, replacing Spaniard Josep Borrell.
“I am delighted to speak with @kajakallas, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the @EU_Commission. Discussion of developments in Europe, Western Asia and the Indo-Pacific. Expect a quick meeting,” Jaishankar said in an article on X.
Kallas referred to his conversation with Jaishankar in a separate article on X and said: “Global security challenges are interconnected. We will focus together to make progress on security, trade, digital and green transition. We agreed to hold the first strategic ministerial dialogue on foreign policy soon.”
It was the first direct contact between Jaishankar and Kallas, who began his five-year term as EU foreign policy chief on December 1. Jaishankar had earlier congratulated her on the appointment.
EU Ambassador Hervé Delphin said on X that both sides were “committed to advancing cooperation” on a range of foreign policy and security issues of common interest.
The strategic ministerial dialogue on foreign policy will be part of the preparations for the India-EU summit to be held in 2025, and sources close to the matter said on condition of anonymity that this is part of the measures being strengthened by both sides to ensure the substantial content. and a list of deliverables for the summit.
The strategic foreign policy dialogue is expected to encompass a wide range of areas, including India’s efforts towards a free and open Indo-Pacific and reducing risks related to supply and value chains, as well as Europe’s concerns regarding the Russian-Ukrainian conflict and security cooperation, including maritime. security in the Indian Ocean.
Foreign policy issues are currently being discussed by India and the EU at the senior diplomat level.
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