India–EU ties gain momentum as S. Jaishankar meets European Parliament delegation in New Delhi, highlighting strategic convergence, Free Trade Agreement progress, and stronger parliamentary diplomacy aimed at boosting trade, security, and global cooperation between India and the European Union.
India’s diplomatic engagement with the European Union gained fresh momentum as External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met a delegation of Members of the European Parliament led by Angelika Niebler on Monday. The discussions underscored a “new chapter” in India–EU ties, reflecting growing strategic convergence across multiple sectors.
During the interaction held in New Delhi, Jaishankar emphasized the expanding scope of cooperation between India and the EU, ranging from trade and technology to security and global governance. Taking to X (formerly Twitter), the minister expressed optimism about the evolving relationship, stating that as cooperation deepens, mutual comfort and trust between the two sides will also increase. He further noted that the European Parliament is expected to play a crucial role in supporting this partnership.
The meeting comes at a time when India and the European Union are actively strengthening institutional and parliamentary linkages. Earlier in the day, the India–European Parliament Parliamentary Friendship Group convened its inaugural session at Sansad Bhavan. The meeting marked a significant step in enhancing parliamentary diplomacy between the two democratic entities.
Bharatiya Janata Party MP Anurag Thakur, who presides over the Friendship Group, highlighted the importance of sustained dialogue between lawmakers. He expressed gratitude for the guidance of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, while reaffirming his commitment to strengthening bilateral ties through regular engagements.
The delegation from the European Parliament, operating under its India-focused unit, engaged in discussions aimed at fostering deeper collaboration in areas of mutual interest. Observers note that such parliamentary exchanges complement executive-level diplomacy, ensuring a broader and more resilient partnership framework.
Earlier this month, Jaishankar concluded a high-level visit to Brussels, where he met key European leaders, including Ursula von der Leyen, Antonio Costa, and Kaja Kallas. The discussions focused on unlocking the “enormous economic potential” of the proposed India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which is expected to be a cornerstone of future cooperation.
Jaishankar described the FTA as a potential “turning point” in bilateral relations, with far-reaching implications for trade, investment, and innovation. He also stressed the shared objective of building resilient and diversified supply chains, a priority that has gained urgency amid global economic uncertainties.
Experts believe that the convergence between India and the EU is driven by shared democratic values, economic complementarities, and common geopolitical interests. With negotiations on the FTA progressing and institutional engagements intensifying, both sides appear committed to elevating their partnership to new strategic heights.
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As India and the European Union continue to align on critical global challenges, Monday’s meeting signals a clear intent to transform diplomatic goodwill into tangible outcomes, paving the way for a stronger and more comprehensive partnership.
