The first-ever European Legal Gateway Office in New Delhi was inaugurated in the presence of External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar, Executive Vice-President of the European Commission for Technological Sovereignty, Security and Democracy, Henna Virkkunen and Director General of the International Centre for Migration Policy Development, Sussane Raab. Speaking on the occasion, Dr Jaishankar said the initiative reflects the growing depth, confidence and maturity of the India-European Union strategic partnership.

He said India’s partnership with the EU is promising not just because of shared values but also today as natural and preferred partners, with more strategic convergence than ever before. He said the conclusion of negotiations for an India-EU FTA, the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership, along with the other concrete outcomes of the 16th India-EU Summit, have put forward a roadmap for a shared future.

He added that the adoption of the “Towards 2030: a Joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda” at the Summit really opens up a new chapter. Dr Jaishankar added that now, the Comprehensive Framework for Cooperation on Mobility that was signed at the Summit, and the establishment of this Legal Gateway Office, translate the broader understanding into concrete action.

He said, with one of the world’s youngest populations, a rapidly growing skills base, and strong capabilities in digital, scientific and emerging technologies, India is increasingly a major contributor to global talent pools. Dr Jaishankar said, India’s recent international engagements reflect a consistent belief that global challenges require connected societies and cooperative solutions.