External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security, in New Delhi on Monday and expressed confidence that the visiting EU delegation would have productive engagements during its stay in India.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said, “A pleasure to meet European Trade & Economic Security Commissioner Maros Sefcovic in New Delhi today. Confident that the Commissioner and his team will have productive discussions in India.”
The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts by India and the European Union to deepen cooperation across strategic, economic and security domains. Last month, a joint statement issued after the 11th India-EU Foreign Policy and Security Consultations and the 6th Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in Brussels noted that both sides were looking forward to constructive negotiations aimed at the timely conclusion of a Security and Defence Partnership and a Security of Information Agreement.
Held on November 18–19, the consultations reviewed the full spectrum of the bilateral relationship and assessed progress under the India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025, which is nearing completion.
The joint statement highlighted the “very positive momentum” in EU-India ties, citing key developments such as the landmark visit of the College of Commissioners to India in February, the first India-EU Strategic Dialogue held in Brussels between High Representative / Vice-President (HRVP) Kaja Kallas and EAM Jaishankar in June, and the EU’s adoption of the Joint Communication on its Strategic Agenda on India in September.
Both sides reaffirmed their shared ambition to conclude negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of this year, and to accelerate talks on the Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications. They also underscored the importance of cooperation at the multilateral level and sustained dialogue on economic issues, including supply chain diversification. Progress in the India–EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was noted, with both sides looking forward to the next TTC Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in 2026.
On October 29, Jaishankar had also met a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) in New Delhi, where discussions focused on enhancing convergences and strengthening cooperation.
Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West), Sibi George, and other senior officials were present during the interaction.
After that meeting, Jaishankar said on X, “Pleased to meet the delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) today in Delhi. Discussed how India and the European Union can maximise convergences and deepen cooperation. This can stabilise the global economy and strengthen democratic forces. The early conclusion of the India–EU FTA can make a big difference to these objectives.”
(IANS)
