India and the European Union convened a bilateral cluster meeting in New Delhi on Friday, focusing on key areas such as connectivity, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), green and clean energy, mobility and talent, security, the Mediterranean, and the EU's expansion.
The meeting saw the participation of several high-ranking officials, including External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jozef Sikela, EU Commissioner for Enlargement Marta Kos, EU Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner, and EU Commissioner for Mediterranean and Demography Dubravka Suica.
In a post on X, Jaishankar stated, "Pleased to participate in the India-EU bilateral cluster meeting this morning alongside Commissioners @JozefSikela, @dubravkasuica, @MartaKosEU, @magnusbrunner of @EU_Commission and my colleagues @KVSinghMPGonda & @nityanandraibjp."
He further added, "Our conversation focused on connectivity and IMEC, green and clean energy, mobility and talent, security, Mediterranean and EU expansion."
A day earlier, Jaishankar met with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and commended her commitment to strengthening India's engagement with Europe.
"Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen today in Delhi. Appreciate her thoughts on reenergizing India's engagement with Europe. The wide-ranging participation of Indian Ministers and EU College of Commissioners during this visit stands testimony to the importance we place on deeper India-EU ties," he shared on X.
Von der Leyen is on a two-day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of the European College of Commissioners. Upon her arrival in Delhi, she was received at the airport by Union Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel.
Expressing her views on X, she wrote, "Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I'll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level."
This marks Ursula von der Leyen’s third visit to India. She previously visited in April 2022 for a bilateral official visit and again in September 2023 for the G20 Leaders' Summit. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and von der Leyen have also engaged in regular discussions during multilateral meetings.