External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has expressed India’s support for an ambitious and balanced India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of the year.

During a joint press conference with the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, Jaishankar called India and the EU two important forces of that emerging reality and stressed the powerful case for forging deeper ties.

The Minister said it is apparent that the world order is in the midst of a profound change, and these trends have intensified in many ways. He added that the world has without doubt entered an era of multipolarity and strategic autonomy.

Earlier, both the leaders held very open and productive talks in Brussels, covering areas of defence and security, maritime security, cyber and space.

Mr Jaishankar said he had exchanged views on the global order with the EU High Representative and discussed the situation in Europe, including the Ukraine conflict, West Asia, the Indian subcontinent and the Indo-Pacific region.

During the discussion, the issue of counter terrorism also dominated the agenda, with Kallas dubbing nuclear threats as an area of mutual concern for India and the EU.

During his week-long tour of Europe, Jaishankar will also hold talks with leaders of France to boost bilateral ties and reaffirm India’s policy of zero-tolerance against terrorism.