Jaishankar Forecasts India-EU Relations Upswing by 2026 in Luxembourg Address

India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar has expressed confidence that India–European Union relations will see an upswing by 2026, sharing this view while addressing the Indian community in Luxembourg during his ongoing European visit, which is aimed at strengthening India’s bilateral ties and broader engagement with Europe. Jaishankar highlighted Luxembourg’s strategic role within the EU, indicating that its position and influence in Brussels can play a supportive role in advancing India’s engagement with European institutions. At a time of global uncertainty, he underlined that countries are increasingly prioritising trusted and stable partnerships, and reiterated that Europe is emerging as an increasingly important focus area in India’s foreign policy outreach.​

During his six-day visit, Jaishankar met Luxembourg Prime Minister Luc Frieden, Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel, and Grand Duke Guillaume V, where the discussions covered a wide spectrum of issues including trade, technology and future-oriented cooperation. The leaders also acknowledged and appreciated the Indian diaspora’s contribution in Luxembourg, particularly in business, finance, technology and other professional fields, noting its strong integration and positive image. Jaishankar also noted the positive momentum in India–EU free trade agreement (FTA) discussions and indicated that Luxembourg has conveyed its support for efforts to move the negotiations forward.​

Jaishankar said that India is devoting greater time, attention and resources to Europe as global power dynamics evolve, reflecting New Delhi’s intent to deepen its engagement with key European partners. Talks in Luxembourg included opportunities for collaboration in digital public infrastructure and space-related domains, areas where both sides see complementary strengths and scope for cooperation. In this context, Luxembourg’s established expertise in satellite and space services aligns well with India’s rapidly expanding space sector and its interest in building new international partnerships in emerging technologies.​

The minister acknowledged that India–EU FTA discussions extend beyond tariff reductions and involve complex issues, including differing regulatory approaches, standards-related concerns, and procedural and compliance requirements that matter for exporters and domestic stakeholders. He underlined that Indian negotiators examine sectoral and export data carefully in such talks in order to safeguard the interests of farmers and businesses, while also seeking to ensure fair and mutually beneficial access to overseas markets. While these aspects make negotiations more demanding, he emphasised that India’s overall trade engagement has continued to expand, with new agreements opening additional avenues for exporters.​

Jaishankar also pointed out that India has recently concluded multiple trade agreements, mentioning in particular that the country has entered into trade pacts with partners such as Oman and has finalised an agreement with New Zealand. He linked these developments to India’s wider strategy of diversifying its trade relationships and creating fresh opportunities for Indian exporters in different regions. Against this backdrop, he expressed optimism that, supported by such initiatives and stronger partnerships in Europe, India–EU ties are well placed to gain further traction by 2026.