New Delhi, March 17 The escalating conflict in West Asia and its impact on global energy security were key topics discussed by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar with his counterparts from the 27 European Union (EU) member states in Brussels.
A day after the talks, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Tuesday that both sides emphasized the need for dialogue and diplomacy to resolve the crisis.
Global oil and gas prices have surged following Iran's near-blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman, which handles approximately 20% of global oil and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas).
West Asia has been a major source of energy procurement for India.
Jaishankar visited the Belgian capital at the invitation of EU foreign and security policy chief Kaja Kallas to attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council, which comprises the foreign ministers of the bloc.
This was the first high-level visit from India to the Brussels-based EU after the two sides finalized a landmark Free Trade Agreement (FTA) following summit talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the EU leadership in January.
Jaishankar also held separate meetings with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and his counterparts from EU member states such as Germany and Belgium.
The external affairs minister highlighted the strong momentum following the India-EU Summit in January and called for maximizing the potential of the FTA, in addition to deepening defense industrial collaboration and maritime cooperation under the security and defense partnership, the MEA said.
Jaishankar also emphasized the need to transform the India-EU Trade and Technology Council into a more "outcome-oriented" forum.
"The external affairs minister urged the EU foreign ministers to recognize the synergies between India's relations with the European Union and with member states, a sentiment that was fully reciprocated by his EU counterparts," the MEA said.
The ministers also exchanged views on pressing global challenges, particularly the situation in West Asia, including its effects on energy security, and underlined the need for dialogue and diplomacy.
"They also discussed the situation in Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific. EAM emphasized the growing convergence between India and the EU in maintaining a stable international order and strengthening multilateralism," the MEA added.
On the sidelines of the Foreign Affairs Council, Jaishankar held a bilateral meeting with Kallas.
"Both sides reaffirmed their shared ambition to further elevate India-EU cooperation to a higher strategic level. They also underlined the importance of regular consultations on key global and regional matters, including the Indo-Pacific," the MEA said.
Jaishankar also held separate bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Belgium, Cyprus, Germany, Greece, and the Netherlands.
"India-EU relations have entered a new phase of strategic momentum, with both sides intensifying engagement on the implementation of 'Towards 2030: A Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda'," the MEA said.