In this photo released on March 16, 2026, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar greets European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in Brussels. Photo: X@DrSJaishankar via PTI
On the second day of his visit to Brussels, the Minister of External Affairs S. Jaishankar met the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and discussed, among other things, the situation in West Asia and Ukraine. According to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, Mr Jaishankar was invited to meet foreign ministers from the 27-member bloc during the EU Foreign Affairs Council meeting on Monday (March 16, 2026).
“We also discussed developments in the Middle East and Ukraine. De-escalation, stability and energy security are our common goals,” Ms Von der Leyen said in a post on X about her meeting with Mr Jaishankar. The EU and India focused on implementing the trade deal signed in Delhi in January “as soon as possible”, she said.
Thanking the EU’s top diplomat, Kaja Kallas, for the invitation to the Foreign Affairs Council, Mr Jaishankar said: “Our conversation today was therefore mainly about trade, investment, technology, mobility and defence.”
“Stronger convergence between India and the EU in a multipolar world is also reflected in closer consultations,” he added, adding that West Asia, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific region were discussed at the meeting. On Sunday (March 15, 2026), Mr. Jaishankar publicly thanked Armenia for the safe evacuation of 550 Indian citizens from Iran.
Ahead of the meeting, Ms Kallas outlined the various options the EU is considering to open the Strait of Hormuz, a key body of water through which a quarter of the world’s oil passes. The strait has remained effectively closed by Iran since Israel and the US launched strikes against the country on February 28.
Another relationship
Mr Jaishankar said India would like to share what New Delhi is doing with Tehran with European countries, although he acknowledged that each country has a different relationship with Iran. He also said there was no consideration for Iran to allow two Indian-flagged LPG tankers to pass through the strait on Saturday, saying it was based on a “history of mutual engagement”. Mr Jaishankar called the conflict “most unfortunate” and called on other countries to engage with Tehran. The minister also stressed that India does not have a “blanket” with Tehran on safe passage of ships, but it is negotiated on a case-by-case basis and discussions are ongoing.
Mr. Jaishankar met Cypriot Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos on Sunday and discussed ways to strengthen India’s strategic partnership with the country. They also exchanged views on Western Asia; Cyprus currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, a body made up of the bloc’s 27 member states, after six months.
Earlier, Mr. Jaishankar met Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot. According to the minister, they agreed to establish a strategic dialogue between India and Belgium.
Published – 16 March 2026 21:12 IST
