In addition to congratulating Portuguese Foreign Minister Paulo Rangel on Portugal’s National Day, Indian External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar pledged to improve India-Portugal ties.
Highlighting continuous efforts to strengthen the collaboration and contacts with the European Union (EU), Jaishankar posted this statement on X (previously Twitter).
Jaishankar’s official visit to France, the EU, and Belgium from June 8–14, 2025, coincided with this congrats. He joined EU Vice President and High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas at the inaugural EU-India Strategic Dialogue during this visit.
Jaishankar emphasized the significance of strengthening connections between India and the EU as “two important forces” influencing new global realities during this discussion, restating India’s support for signing a “ambitious and balanced” Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the EU.
The visit also came after Princess Astrid of Belgium led an economic trip to India recently, where they explored collaboration in fields like green energy, labor migration, medicines, defense, diamonds, and space exploration. Notably, Mehul Choksi, a wanted Indian diamantaire detained in a Belgian jail following India’s request for extradition, was arrested concurrently with Jaishankar’s visit. During the visit, India is anticipated to use the current extradition agreement with Belgium to seek Choksi’s extradition.
India’s intention to strengthen bilateral ties with Portugal and the wider EU, emphasizing strategic, economic, and diplomatic collaboration, is demonstrated by Jaishankar’s meetings during this European tour.
