Jaishankar meets EU High Representative Borrell, discusses global & regional issues
New Delhi/UNI: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Friday held bilateral talks with European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, and held discussions on global and regional issues.
"A great meeting with HRVP Josep Borrell of European Union. Productive discussions on global and regional issues, multilateralism, connectivity and counter terrorism," Jaishankar tweeted.
A great meeting with HRVP @JosepBorrellF of European Union. Productive discussions on global and regional issues, multilateralism, connectivity and counter terrorism. Underlined our climate change cooperation. Agreed to keep in close touch. pic.twitter.com/0dyBsGgaWg
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 17, 2020
He also said both the leaders underlined 'our climate change cooperation' and agreed to keep in close touch.
The External Affairs Minister also met his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor and both the leaders co-chaired a "fruitful Joint Ministerial Commission."
"Co-chaired a fruitful Joint Ministerial Commission with FM Naledi Pandor of South Africa. Our traditional friendship and cooperation stands re-energised. Deeply appreciate her Raisina participation," Jaishankar said in another tweet.
Co-chaired a fruitful Joint Ministerial Commission with FM Naledi Pandor of South Africa. Our traditional friendship and cooperation stands reenergised. Deeply appreciate her #Raisina participation. pic.twitter.com/zogbWi9M14
— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) January 17, 2020
Meanwhile, in a statement the Ministry of External Affairs said Jaishankar and Borrell took stock of the India-EU relations and the way forward, ahead of the planned summit in March 2020.
During his stay in Delhi, Borrell also called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi and reiterated the European Union’s keenness on the Prime Minister’s visit to Brussels for the 15th India-EU Summit and apprised him of the priorities of the European Union.
Modi conveyed that India and the European Union were natural partners and that he was looking forward to a productive Summit in March 2020.
PM reiterated the commitment of India to deepen the engagement with the EU particularly in the fields of Climate Change action, and Trade and Economic relations, the statement said.
Both agreed to further enlarge the existing bilateral political, security, economic and trade cooperation and identify new areas for cooperation in connectivity, Indo-Pacific Region, Data Adequacy etc, it said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh received Borrell at his office and discussed the emerging area of Defence and Security Cooperation between India and the EU.
Borrell also met National Security Adviser and held bilateral discussions, the MEA said.
Iranian Foreign Minister Javad Zarif, who was also in Delhi for Raisina Dialogue, also held talks here on Thursday with EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell.
An EU statement said the two had "a frank dialogue".
