Stating that the world order is in the midst of a profound change, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar Tuesday said even though India and the EU may not have identical perspectives at times, there is a place for the two to forge deeper ties. He was speaking alongside EU High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission Kaja Kallas in Brussels after the First Strategic Dialogue, during which they discussed deepening cooperation in defence, maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber & AI, space and defence industry collaborations. They also discussed the establishment of a Security and Defence Partnership, and a Dialogue on Space, with a first session expected to convene in the final quarter of 2025. Jaishankar posted on X “also shared perspectives on the Indo-Pacific, the situation in Europe and West Asia”. “As political democracies, market economies and pluralistic societies, India and the EU share many convergences in an increasingly multipolar world.” As per a statement by the EU, the Strategic Dialogue “reaffirmed the strong commitment to a rules-based international order, global peace, stability and prosperity, rooted in shared democratic values and converging strategic interests”. “.India, has the right and responsibility to protect its citizens from acts of terror,” it said, coming weeks after Operation Sindoor. “It is apparent that the world order is in the midst of a profound change,” the EAM said, adding, “as two important poles of that emerging reality, there is a powerful place for India and the EU to forge deeper ties.” “There will be situations when our perspectives may not be entirely identical. what is important is that we expand common ground and understanding and enhance levels of trust.”
