Jaishankar meets Belgian FM, discusses trade, investment cooperation

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Monday held talks with Belgium’s Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot in Brussels, focusing on strengthening cooperation in trade and investment, as well as emerging sectors such as semiconductors, health, technology and innovation.
Following the meeting, both sides agreed to establish a Strategic Dialogue to deepen bilateral engagement.
In a post on X, Jaishankar said he began the second day of his visit to Brussels with a meeting with Prevot and discussed ways to intensify cooperation across multiple sectors.
The External Affairs Minister also met Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, where the two leaders discussed ways to further strengthen the India–Cyprus strategic partnership and exchanged views on developments in West Asia.
Jaishankar appreciated Cyprus’ support in advancing European Union–India engagement, noting that the country currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union.
Kombos, in a post on X, said the meeting included discussions on the Cyprus–India strategic partnership, the upcoming visit of Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides to India, and the state of EU–India relations following the recent summit between the two sides.
The two ministers also discussed developments in the Middle East, stressing that diplomacy and dialogue remain the only sustainable path to de-escalation and stability.
Jaishankar is on an official visit to Brussels from March 15 to 16 at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas to participate in interactions with the Foreign Ministers of the 27 EU member states at the Foreign Affairs Council meeting.
During the visit, the External Affairs Minister is also holding meetings with the leadership of the European Union and his counterparts from several EU member states.
-ANI



