In a move underscoring deepening Europe-India bonds, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas touched down in New Delhi Saturday, marking her debut official trip to the country as High Representative and Vice-President. India’s foreign ministry described the visit as perfectly timed to fortify the strategic alliance between the two powers, with continuous top-tier exchanges already in play.
The announcement came from MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal on social media platform X. He spotlighted the visit’s relevance for bilateral progress, posting: ‘Heartiest welcome to EU HRVP Kaja Kallas on her first official visit to India as EU High Representative/Vice-President. Perfect timing to strengthen India-EU strategic partnership and ramp up high-level engagements.’
Just days earlier, on Thursday, EAM S. Jaishankar held talks with ambassadors from EU nations, focusing on today’s turbulent world order rife with unpredictability. The ministry noted the conversation delved into global instability as the emerging standard.
Jaishankar later tweeted about the productive dialogue: ‘Happy to engage with EU ambassadors today on the world’s current state – volatility and flux are now routine.’ He pushed for intensified partnership in domains where India and EU could anchor global stability, particularly via supply chain resilience to shield economies from shocks.
Timing couldn’t be better, as this precedes high-profile visits from EU heavyweights Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen for Republic Day celebrations. As chief guests on January 26, their trip – at PM Modi’s invitation – culminates in co-chairing the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27. This sequence of events signals a new chapter in collaborative diplomacy, promising advancements in security, trade, and green initiatives.