Brussels/New Delhi, June 9 (UNI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, who is visiting Brussels, today met the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium Maxime Prevot, during which he welcomed Belgium’s support and solidarity with India in combatting terrorism.
In a post on X, the EAM also said that he appreciated the strong momentum of the bilateral engagement and the India-EU partnership.
“Pleased to meet DPM & FM @prevotmaxime at the start of my visit to Belgium.
“Welcomed Belgium’s support and solidarity in combatting terrorism.
“Appreciated the strong momentum of our bilateral engagement and the India – EU partnership.
“Also held wide – ranging discussions on deepening our cooperation including in trade, investment, technology, defence & security, pharmaceuticals, clean energy and mobility.”
Notably, EAM Jaishankar is visiting Belgium, the EU and France from June 8-14.
Besides meeting the DPM and FM Maxime Prevot, EAM would also meet the senior leadership of Belgium and interact with the members of the Indian community.
The visit of the EAM to Brussels comes three months after the visit to India of Princess Astrid of Belgium, who had come at the head of a 300-member economic mission to India, and had held talks with PM Modi and the EAM.
Princess Astrid’s team had comprised Foreign minister Maxime Prévot, Defence Minister Theo Francken, Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele and Belgian ambassador Didier Vanderhasselt.
The two sides had discussed a wide range of issues during the meeting in March with PM Modi, including labour migration, pharmaceuticals, defence, diamonds, space exploration and green energy.
Interestingly, EAM’s visit comes as fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi, wanted in the PNB loan fraud case, is currently in a Belgian jail. He was arrested in mid-April on India’s extradition request.
India has an extradition treaty with Belgium.
Choksi, 65, along with his nephew Nirav Modi—who is in London awaiting extradition—is accused of defrauding Punjab National Bank (PNB) of Rs 13,850 crore.
India and Belgium share warm and friendly relations along with a very robust economic partnership. Today the collaboration between the two countries spans various domains like trade and investment, green energy, technology, pharmaceutical, diamond sector and strong people to people ties, a statement said.
During the visit to Brussels, EAM will be holding a Strategic Dialogue with the EU High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas, and will engage with the senior leadership from the European Commission and the European Parliament, besides interacting with think tank and media.
While in France, the EAM would travel to Paris and Marseille where he would be holding bilateral discussions with his counterpart Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs of France, Jean Noel Barrot and also engage with the senior leadership of France, and interact with think tanks and media. EAM would also participate in the inaugural edition of the Mediterranean Raisina Dialogue which is being held in the city of Marseille.
