Jaishankar Confident of Improved India-EU Relations by 2026 Amid Global Changes

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar expressed optimism about India's future relations with Europe, predicting a positive shift by 2026. He highlighted Luxembourg's potential role in enhancing India's ties with the European Union. Jaishankar noted that global volatility is prompting countries to reassess their alliances, suggesting that India and the EU are moving closer due to shared interests.

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During his visit to Luxembourg, Jaishankar engaged with the Indian community, emphasising the deepening partnership between India and Luxembourg in political, business, and technology sectors. He appreciated the Indian diaspora's contributions to strengthening these ties. "Appreciate the contributions of our diaspora in deepening India - Luxembourg ties," he stated during his first visit to Luxembourg.

India-EU Relations and Free Trade Agreement

Jaishankar discussed India's evolving relationship with Luxembourg, noting its influence on EU decision-making. He mentioned ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with the EU. "At a time when we are seeking to ramp up that relationship with the European Union EU, the support that Luxembourg can give us, the influence that it will have over ... the collective decision making in Brussels is really quite significant," he said.

The minister addressed complexities in trade agreements, particularly concerning agricultural products. He explained that tariffs are just one aspect, with standards and regulations posing additional challenges. "Tariffs are only one part of the issue. Often we get into very complicated issues of standards," he explained.

Luxembourg Visit and Community Engagement

Jaishankar's visit included meetings with Prime Minister Luc Frieden and Foreign Minister Javier Bethel. He also met Guillaume V, Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Reflecting on these interactions, he described them as productive and satisfying. "It's really been a very, very productive and a very satisfying day," he remarked.

He acknowledged Luxembourg's satellite capabilities while highlighting India's advancements in digital infrastructure and space technology. "We have very high respect for Luxembourg's own satellite capacities," he noted, adding that there was mutual interest in these areas.

Trade Agreements and Economic Growth

India's commitment to expanding its global trade presence was underscored by recent free trade agreements with Oman and New Zealand. Jaishankar pointed out that even smaller agreements provide new opportunities for exporters. "In fact, for all the tariff volatility of this year, actually, our exports have done quite well," he stated.

The minister encouraged the Indian community in Luxembourg to continue building on their positive reputation to support India's bilateral goals. He expressed pride in their achievements and invited their input on furthering India-Luxembourg relations.

Jaishankar shared a video of his interaction with the Indian community on social media platform X. In another post, he expressed his pleasure at engaging with them in Luxembourg: "Glad to interact with members of the Indian community in Luxembourg today."

With inputs from PTI