Jaishankar, EU foreign ministers call for dialogue, diplomacy to end conflict in West Asia

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and the foreign ministers of the European Union (EU) had an in-depth discussion on the situation in West Asia, including its effects on energy security, and underlined the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis in the region.

Jaishankar, who was in Brussels on a two-day visit, participated in an interaction with the EU Foreign Affairs Council comprising the foreign ministers of EU member states. Mr. Maroš Šefčovič, European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security also joined the session.

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The Ministry of External Affairs said Jaishankar also discussed with the EU ministers the situation in Ukraine and the Indo-pacific.

He highlighted the strong momentum following the India-EU Summit in January 2026, calling to unlock the full potential of the FTA, deepen defence industrial collaboration and maritime co-operation under the Security and Defence partnership, transform the Trade and Technology Council into a more outcome driven forum integrated with industry, advance sustainable development and green and clean energy collaboration, and strengthen mobility frameworks.

He urged the EU foreign ministers to realise synergies between India’s relations with the European Union and with member states– a sentiment that was fully reciprocated by his EU counterparts.

Jaishankar’s visit, coming within six weeks of the historic State Visit of EU leaders to India as Guests of Honour for India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations and the successful 16th India–EU Summit, is reflective of India’s sustained high-level engagement with the EU, the MEA said.

During the visit, he called on Antonio Costa, President of the European Council and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission. Jaishankar conveyed the warm greetings of President Draupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the EU leaders.

The discussions centred on India-EU relations following the recent summit and on priorities identified in the joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, including early signing of the landmark India-EU FTA, as well as the situation in West Asia, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, the MEA added.