External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met his counterparts from European Union (EU) in Brussels. They discussed Iran and Ukraine conflicts as well as ways to deepen India’s relations with Europe. Dr Jaishankar is on a two-day visit to the Belgian capital at the invitation of EU Foreign and Security Policy Chief Kaja Kallas to attend a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the bloc. The external affairs minister held separate meetings with European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen and his counterparts from Germany, Greece and Belgium.

Following his meeting with European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen, Dr Jaishankar said, her highly successful state visit to India in January marked a turning point in India-EU ties and New Delhi is following up vigorously on it. He said, stronger convergence between India and EU in a multipolar world is also expressed in closer consultations. Ms Kallas said, EU Foreign Affairs Council discussed how to better protect shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, including possible contributions by the EU’s naval mission Aspides, and a European security strategy.

Global oil and gas prices have surged after Iran has virtually blocked the Strait of Hormuz, a narrow shipping lane between the Persian Gulf and the Gulf of Oman that handles roughly 20 per cent of global oil and LNG. The West Asia region has been a major source of India’s energy procurement. After his talks with German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul, Dr Jaishankar said they exchanged notes on the conflict in West Asia and also took stock of the progress of our bilateral relations.