EXTERNAL Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar said on Wednesday that the international situation wants nations like India and Belgium, which have a close relationship, to engage more deeply. EAM Jaishankar said that both countries have an opportunity of not just building on the current ‘very substantive relationship’, but can also do a lot in the field of clean energy, digital technologies, life sciences, chemical industry, logistics, manufacturing, etc. He stated that India’s ties with Belgium are very much in tandem with those with the European Union (EU) which are acquiring a strategic character due to the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between both sides. “I think both bilaterally and globally there is a strong case for us to engage more. What we are doing with Belgium is very much in tandem to what we are doing with the European Union. You are in a way the core of the European Union and I would say we can see in front of our eyes that the Indian relationship with European Union is acquiring a strategic character. “So, the FTA itself, we explain to our own people, is something much bigger than just a trade agreement. But, along with the FTA, today we have a security and defence partnership. We are negotiating a security of information agreement. We have a mobility framework. We are here for a trade and technology council with some of the major European initiatives like the global gateway or in the research side, we are trying to get involved with Horizon Europe,” he said. Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to Belgium from July 14-15 to participate in the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting and interact with his EU and Belgian counterparts in Brussels. He is accompanied by Union Minister for Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal and Minister of State Jitin Prasada. “Joined my colleagues to recognise the significant progress in our partnership since the landmark India-EU summit earlier this year. Value his guidance and warm sentiments for advancing our trade and technology cooperation,” Jaishanakar said in a post on X after meeting Costa. Palestine on Wednesday warmly welcomed India’s announcement to establish three major development projects for the people in Gaza, including a Speciality Hospital, an Artificial Limb Fitment Centre, and a Vocational Training Institute.

 

According to the Palestinian Embassy in New Delhi, India’s commitment to establishing a Speciality Hospital and an Artificial Limb Fitment Centre will make a ‘meaningful contribution’ to strengthening healthcare services and supporting the rehabilitation of those most severely affected by the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The India-EU Summit was held in New Delhi in January, when Costa, and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen visited New Delhi as the chief guests for the Republic Day. Co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European leaders, the summit yielded a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and a new Security and Defence Partnership. Earlier, Jaishankar began his visit to Brussels with a meeting with European Commission Vice President Kaja Kallas, and they discussed the West Asia conflict and the importance of safe and unimpeded maritime commerce. The External Affairs Minister said they also spoke about advancing the India-EU Strategic Partnership to ensure supply chain resilience. “Started my visit to Brussels, meeting with EU HRVP @kajakallas. Had useful discussions on West Asia and the need to ensure peace and stability. Exchanged views on the importance of safe and unimpeded maritime commerce,” Jaishankar said in a social media post. Kallas said it was a “historic year for EU-India relations”. “This is a historic year for EU-India relations, with our cooperation deepening across trade, technology, security and defence. It was good to speak today with @DrSJaishankar about taking our partnership further, including on maritime security,” she said in a post on X. “Together, we must defend freedom of navigation, protect open and resilient supply chains, as well as deepen cooperation between EU operations ATALANTA and ASPIDES and the Indian navy to uphold security in the Indo-Pacific and beyond,” she further said. The External Affairs Minister also met Minister-President Flanders Matthias Diependaele and Minister Annick De Ridder. “The India-EU FTA has enabled a wide range of possibilities for India’s cooperation with Belgium. Discussed opportunities for businesses and investments from the Flanders region,” he said.