Jaishankar congratulated Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel on Portugal's National Day, showing India's strong interest in boosting ties between the countries
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar. File Pic.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar extended his felicitations to Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel on Portugal's National Day, expressing a keen interest in strengthening bilateral relations between the two nations, reported the ANI.
In a post on X, Jaishankar conveyed his sentiments: "Congratulations to FM @PauloRangel_pt, the Government and people of Portugal on their National Day. Will continue efforts to strengthen our bilateral partnership and EU engagements."
EAM Jaishankar is currently undertaking an official visit to France, the European Union (EU), and Belgium, scheduled from June 8 to 14, 2025, a detail confirmed by the Ministry of External Affairs in a Sunday press release.
Earlier in the day, the Vice President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, convened the inaugural EU-India Strategic Dialogue with EAM Jaishankar. During this dialogue, Jaishankar reiterated India's commitment to concluding an "ambitious and balanced" Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the European Union, according to ANI.
At a joint press conference on Tuesday with EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, Jaishankar characterised India and the EU as "two important forces of that emerging reality," underscoring the compelling rationale for forging deeper ties. He also remarked, "It's a great pleasure to be back in Brussels and join High Representative and Vice President Kaja Kallas for the first strategic dialogue between India and the European Union. I believe we've had a very open and productive meeting today, and it is still continuing."
Jaishankar's visit to Brussels follows three months after Princess Astrid of Belgium led a 300-member economic mission to India. This recent visit by Princess Astrid, who met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jaishankar, encompassed discussions on critical areas such as labour migration, pharmaceuticals, defence, diamonds, space exploration, and green energy, ANI reported.
Coinciding with Jaishankar's visit is the detention of fugitive Indian diamantaire Mehul Choksi in a Belgian jail. Choksi, facing accusations of defrauding Punjab National Bank of Rs 13,850 crore, was arrested in mid-April following an extradition request from India. Given that India has an extradition treaty with Belgium, the government is expected to pursue Choksi's extradition during the EAM's ongoing visit.
(With inputs from ANI)
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