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Jaishankar Heads to EU for Strategic Talks After Historic India-EU Trade Deal

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is visiting Belgium to attend the European Union Foreign Affairs Council and hold bilateral meetings. The visit aims to deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership following the recent 16th India-EU Summit. Relations have reached a historic high, evolving into a deeply integrated economic and geopolitical alignment. This is underscored by the landmark Free Trade Agreement, concluded in January, which creates a massive preferential trade zone.

Key Points: Jaishankar Visits EU to Strengthen Ties After Landmark FTA

  • Jaishankar attends EU Foreign Affairs Council
  • Aims to deepen India-EU Strategic Partnership
  • Follows historic 2026 India-EU FTA
  • FTA creates a preferential trade zone for 2 billion people
2 min read

EAM Jaishankar to embark on Belgium visit today, discuss strengthening ties with EU

EAM S. Jaishankar visits Belgium for EU Foreign Affairs Council, aiming to deepen strategic partnership following the historic India-EU Free Trade Agreement.

"mother of all deals - due to its massive scale"

New Delhi, March 15

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Sunday will embark on his visit to Belgium, where he will be attending the European Union Foreign Affairs Council and bilateral meetings with EU leadership and Belgian counterparts, the Ministry of External Affairs said.

The EAM will be in Brussels till March 16. He was invited by the EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas.

Timed soon after the 16th India-EU Summit, according to the MEA, the EAM's visit aims to deepen the Strategic Partnership, building on recent discussions.

During the visit, EAM will also hold meetings with the leadership of the European Union and his counterparts from Belgium and other EU Member States.

India-EU relations have reached a historic high in 2026, evolving from a long-standing strategic partnership into a deeply integrated economic and geopolitical alignment. The two entities are strengthening ties across trade, security, technology, sustainability, and global issues.

India's trade negotiations with the EU culminated in a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA), often described as the "mother of all deals" due to its massive scale -- creating a preferential trade zone covering nearly 2 billion people and roughly a quarter of global GDP.

Negotiations for the India-EU FTA originally began in 2007 but were suspended in 2013. They were relaunched in 2022 and accelerated significantly in late 2025, with the final rounds concluding successfully.

The negotiations wrapped up on January 27, during the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and others hailed it as a historic milestone.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in the tech sector, I'm keenly watching the technology partnership aspects. Collaboration on AI, semiconductors, and green tech with the EU can really boost our innovation ecosystem. Dr. Jaishankar's diplomacy is key here.
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Priya S
Finally! An FTA after so many years. My small export business has been waiting for this. Lower tariffs on our handicrafts and textiles will make a huge difference. Hope the implementation is smooth and benefits reach the grassroots.
R
Rahul R
While the strategic partnership is good, I hope our leadership also firmly discusses issues like the carbon tax (CBAM) which could hurt our exports. We must ensure the deal is balanced and not one-sided in favor of EU regulations.
M
Michael C
The scale of this partnership is impressive. A trade zone covering 2 billion people is monumental for global stability. It's a strong counterbalance and shows India's rising importance on the world stage. Good move.
K
Kavya N
Strengthening ties with the EU is excellent, but let's not forget to protect our farmers and MSMEs. The government must ensure there are adequate safeguards in the FTA. Jai Kisan! 🙏

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