eu foreign affairs

Prime Minister Narendra Modi arrived in the Netherlands for the second leg of his five-nation tour, aiming to deepen bilateral ties. He will hold talks with Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten, call on King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima, and address the Indian community.

Iran’s USD1 war toll on each barrel of oil passing through the Strait of Hormuz could add nearly INR10,000 crore to India’s annual import bill. While the toll is a direct breach of ‘transit passage’ rights, India can use four key diplomatic and legal levers to secure its interests.

Jaishankar said on X he raised Global South’s concerns about energy challenges, fertiliser supplies and food security in the session on global governance. “The uncertainties arising from the conflict in West Asia only make a stronger case for more resilient trade corridors and supply chains,” he said. Jaishankar said on X India’s FTAs with the EU, EFTA members and the UK have enhanced the utility of IMEC.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar hailed direct talks with Iran as the most effective way to resume shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Tehran has allowed Indian-flagged vessels to pass, demonstrating the success of diplomacy over potential military action. This approach offers a potential model for other nations grappling with disrupted energy supplies.

A resolution on Kashmir is likely to criticise Pakistan for lack of progress on democracy and human rights in the PoK.

The European Parliament is set to accept a report which criticises Pak for lack of progress on democracy in POK.

"Celebrating 70 years of our excellent bilateral relations! EAM Sushma Swaraj warmly welcomed by the Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of Belgium Didier Reynders on her arrival at Egmont Palace," Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said in a tweet after the meeting yesterday.

eu foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell told Georgia Monday that its push to join the bloc could be ended, as Brussels weighs options to punish the authorities over a "foreign influence" law. "The door for Georgia to become a member of the European Union is open," Borrell said at a meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said he had a discussion with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell Fontelles regarding cooperation on coronavirus pandemic.

External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a meeting with Austria's Federal Minister for Europe, Integration and Foreign Affairs Sebastian Kurz here on Tuesday.

Sushma Swaraj arrived in Belgium on Wednesday from Luxembourg on the last leg of her four-nation tour. Earlier, she had visited France and Italy. During her stay in Belgium, Swaraj has held wide ranging discussions with the EU leadership to strengthen India-EU strategic partnership.

The European Union imposed sanctions on Monday on four Chinese officials, including a top security director, for human rights abuses in Xinjiang, to which Beijing responded by blacklisting Europeans in a rare escalation of diplomatic tensions.

Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi reportedly told EU leaders that Beijing doesn't want Russia to lose the war in Ukraine, fearing a US shift of focus towards China. This admission, surprising to some EU officials, aligns with suspicions about China's stance. Wang denied materially supporting Russia, suggesting the war would be over if they were.