Foreign Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday met Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, in New Delhi, expressing hope that the visiting delegation’s engagements in India would be productive.
Speaking to social media platform
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Last month, a joint statement issued following the 11th India-EU Foreign Policy and Security Consultations and the 6th Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in Brussels, noted that India and the European Union looked forward to constructive negotiations aimed at the timely and successful conclusion of a Security and Defense Partnership and an Information Security Agreement.
The meetings, held on November 18 and 19, assessed overall bilateral relations and reviewed the implementation of the ‘India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025’, which is coming to an end this year.
According to the joint statement, both sides welcomed the “very positive momentum” in EU-India relations, including the historic visit of the College of Commissioners to India in February, the first EU-India Strategic Dialogue in Brussels, hosted by HRVP Kaja Kallas and EAM Jaishankar in June, and the EU’s adoption of the Joint Communication on the Strategic Agenda for India in September.
“Both sides reaffirmed their common ambition to conclude negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement by the end of this year and accelerate negotiations on the Investment Protection Agreement and the Geographical Indications Agreement. They underlined the importance of cooperation at the multilateral level and continued dialogue on economic issues, including on supply chain diversification. Both sides also noted the progress of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and look forward to looking forward to the next TTC ministerial meeting in Brussels in 2026,” the press release reads.
Earlier on October 29, EAM Jaishankar met a delegation of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee in New Delhi, discussing ways to maximize convergences and deepen cooperation.
Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), Sibi George and other officials were also present.
“I am delighted to meet the delegation of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee (INTA) in Delhi today. We discussed how India and the European Union can maximize convergences and deepen cooperation. This can stabilize the global economy and strengthen democratic forces. Early conclusion of the India-EU FTA can make a big difference in achieving these goals,” EAM Jaishankar later posted on X after his meeting with the EU delegation.
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