Historic V4+India Meeting Strengthens Ties with Central Europe
On 21 September 2026, in New York, India and the four Visegrád Group (V4) nations held their first-ever Foreign Ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. Chaired by Slovakia, the meeting brought India's External Affairs Minister (FM), Dr S. Jaishankar, together with his counterparts from the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia.
This gathering is a major step forward for India-European Union (EU) relations, establishing the foundation for a robust V4+India Strategic Partnership. The leaders officially agreed to hold these meetings every year, launch a new business forum, and work closer together across multiple sectors.
Growing Ties Between India and the EU
The new V4+India setup acts as a stepping stone that supports India's wider relationship with the European Union. India's FM noted that as ties with the EU grow stronger, working directly with the industrially advanced V4 countries creates great opportunities for both sides.
Officials also pointed to the upcoming EU-India Free Trade Agreement. Once finalised, this agreement is expected to open up new economic possibilities for the broader European Union and Central European economies alike.
Focus on Business, Defence, and Space
To turn their discussions into real results, the foreign ministers agreed to create an annual business forum. This platform will connect corporate, academic, and research groups directly. The talks placed a heavy focus on boosting economic ties, especially in technology, innovation, and building reliable supply chains.
The countries also agreed to refresh their historical defence partnerships. They plan to look into joint space exploration projects and improve people-to-people movement, noting the rising number of Indian students choosing to study in Central Europe.
Backing India’s Bid for a Permanent Membership at the UN Security Council
One of the biggest outcomes of the meeting was the unanimous support from the four European nations for India's push to become a permanent member of a reformed United Nations Security Council.
Speaking for the group, Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár made it clear that all V4 countries view India as a leading voice of the Global South and an emerging power in the Indo-Pacific that deserves a permanent seat at the UN's top table. This joint backing gives a major boost to India's campaign to reform global decision-making bodies.
Tackling Energy Security and Supply Chains
The leaders also held practical discussions on global security, energy diversification, and keeping international markets stable. They talked through major global issues, such as the conflicts in Ukraine and the Gulf, and how these events impact global economies and supply chains.
By approaching these challenges together, India and the Visegrád Group showed a shared commitment to protecting international peace, securing energy supplies, and promoting a stable global order.
Comments