New Delhi, Mar 16 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called on European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Belgium this afternoon, and said her ‘highly successful’ State visit to India in January marks a turning point in India-EU ties.
Dr Jaishankar said in a tweet that India is following up vigorously on her visit. He also appreciated her insights on contemporary global developments.
The External Affairs Minister arrived in Brussels on a two-day official visit to Belgium at the invitation of the European union (EU) High Representative and Vice President, Ms Kaja Kallas, to interact with Foreign Ministers of the 27 EU Member States at the Foreign Affairs Council Meeting.
The EAM is scheduled to hold meetings with the leadership of the European union and his counterparts from Belgium and other EU Member States.
The visit of the EAM comes soon after the historic 16th India-EU Summit.
Earlier, Dr Jaishankar met Maxime Prevot, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Affairs and Development Cooperation of Belgium and discussed intensifying India-Belgium cooperation in trade and investment, semiconductors, health, technology and innovation.
The two agreed to establish an India-Belgium Strategic Dialogue.
Dr Jaishankar, who arrived in Belgium on Sunday, met Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos of Cyprus. The two discussed ways to strengthen the Strategic Partnership and exchanged views on the situation in West Asia.
Holding the Presidency of the Council of the EU, the EAM appreciated Cyprus’s support in advancing European Union–India engagement.
