India-Europe ties growing, can bring stability to global politics: Jaishankar, Pg18

Key Highlights:

• External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar began his 2026 official visit in Europe, visiting Paris and Luxembourg.
• He attended the India-Weimar Triangle meeting in Paris with his French, German, and Polish counterparts.
• Discussions included India's perspectives on challenges in the Indo-Pacific and the Ukraine conflict.
• The EU and India are working to announce a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) during the visit of EU leaders to India for Republic Day.

Detailed Insights:

• Jaishankar chose Europe to start the year, believing India-Europe ties are poised to grow and bring stability to the international economy and global politics.
• India's relationship with the EU has the most potential for growth among all its major relationships, with discussions focusing on challenges in the Indo-Pacific and the Ukraine conflict.
• Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal is in Brussels for discussions with his EU counterpart, while German Chancellor Frederik Merz is due in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru next week.
• French President Emmanuel Macron is expected in New Delhi next month for the India AI Impact Summit, highlighting growing collaboration.
• France currently holds the G7 presidency, and India holds the presidency of BRICS, emphasizing the importance of building bridges between centers of stability.
• Europe is facing uncertainty due to U.S. President Donald Trump's ambiguity about the transatlantic relationship and wavering support for Ukraine.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Free Trade Agreement (FTA): A pact between two or more countries to reduce or eliminate trade barriers.
• BRICS: An association of five major emerging economies: Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa.
• G7: An intergovernmental political forum consisting of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States.