India-EU FTA will elevate strategic partnership: Jaishankar-OxBig News Network

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar is with European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic during a meeting in Brussels on June 11, 2025. Photo: X/@DrSJaishankar via PTI

India and the European Union have made progress in discussions related to a free trade pact that will be “comprehensive, balanced and meaningful”, said External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Wednesday (June 11, 2025). Mr. Jaishankar made the remarks after meeting Maros Sefcovic, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security in Brussels.

“Recognised the progress in our discussions for a comprehensive, balanced, and meaningful FTA agreement between India and EU. Agreed that it would elevate our strategic partnership, that is rapidly acquiring new dimensions and facets,” said Mr. Jaishankar after the meeting . 

Mr. Sefcovic described the meeting as “valuable” and said, “We keep our strategic lenses firmly in place, and I am looking forward to seeing Piyush Goyal soon.” 

The visiting Minister also met Jozef Sikela, EU’s Commissioner for International Partnerships.  

“Following our recent mission to India, we keep pushing for stronger EU-India partnership. Today I had a meeting with India’s Minister of External Affairs, Dr Jaishankar. We discussed, new EU-India Strategic Agenda, The progress of India-Middle East-Europe Corridor Project, our joint priorities under the global gateway, which include clean energy, sustainable urbanization and enhanced connectivity,”said Mr. Sikela after the meeting. 

Following the meeting with Mr. Sikela, Mr. Jaishankar said, “Our conversation focused on driving forward India-EU engagement in connectivity, IMEC, green shipping and clean energy. Today’s signing of our trilateral cooperation arrangement will benefit the Global South.”

External Affairs Minister Jaishankar is on a weeklong visit to Europe covering, France, Belgium and the European Union headquarters in Brussels.