Jaishankar Sees Upswing in India–Europe Ties in 2026
Jaishankar said there is considerable volatility and unpredictability in the world, prompting countries and regions to reassess their interests and calculations to de-risk themselves
Luxembourg City: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar held an interaction with members of the Indian diaspora in Luxembourg on Tuesday (local time), expressing confidence that India–Europe ties will see a significant upswing in 2026. He said this would be accompanied by greater Indian investment of “time, energy, and attention” towards Europe.
Speaking on current-day geopolitics, Jaishankar said there is considerable volatility and unpredictability in the world, prompting countries and regions to reassess their interests and calculations to de-risk themselves. At the same time, he noted that nations are seeking deeper, more reliable partnerships, a trend that is bringing India and the European Union closer together.
“I can fairly confidently predict that 2026 will see an upswing in ties with Europe. You will see greater investment of Indian time, energy and attention,” he said, adding that free trade agreement negotiations are at an advanced stage and that Luxembourg’s goodwill would play an important role in supporting the relationship.
Highlighting sectoral cooperation, Jaishankar said discussions were held on “interesting” areas such as the space sector and digital infrastructure. Referring to the upcoming AI Impact Summit that India is set to host this year, he noted that India and Luxembourg share a citizen-centric approach towards artificial intelligence.
The external affairs minister said he expects significant engagement in the coming months, including a large business delegation from Luxembourg, more ministerial visits, and deeper interactions as a follow-up to his discussions during the visit.
Sharing details of his meetings with the Prime Minister, Deputy Prime Minister, and the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, Jaishankar described the day as very productive. He said leaders consistently praised the Indian community, describing it as well-integrated and highly contributive to Luxembourgish society.
On bilateral ties, Jaishankar emphasized that Luxembourg is an important partner for India, noting its central role in the European Union and its influence on collective decision-making. He said Luxembourg’s support would be significant as India seeks to ramp up its engagement with the EU.
The visit underscores India’s continued engagement with its European partners and its commitment to deepening strategic and diplomatic ties, particularly as negotiations between India and the European Union on a long-pending Free Trade Agreement enter a decisive phase.
