Jaishankar seeks deeper India-EU ties as global uncertainty grows during Luxembourg visit

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday said he could “fairly confidently” predict that 2026 will see an upswing in India’s ties with Europe , underlining Luxembourg’s importance in strengthening New Delhi’s relationship with the European Union.

Speaking during an interaction with the Indian community in Luxembourg, Jaishankar said the world is marked by volatility and unpredictability , forcing countries to reassess their interests. “There is a fair amount of volatility and unpredictability in the world, and every country, every region, is reassessing its interests and calculations,” he said.

He said many nations now believe that avoiding risk is no longer enough . “Countries are saying it’s not enough to de-risk. Maybe we should be building closer friendships and deeper partnerships,” Jaishankar said, adding that this reassessment is bringing India and the EU closer. “I think that common sense is today bringing India and the European Union much closer,” he said.

Emphasising India’s renewed focus on Europe, Jaishankar said, “You will see… a much greater investment of time and energy and attention on our part where Europe is concerned.”

Jaishankar, who is on a six-day visit to France and Luxembourg , highlighted Luxembourg’s influence in EU decision-making. “At a time when we are seeking to ramp up that relationship with the European Union, the support that Luxembourg can give us… is really quite significant,” he said, adding that he had received strong assurances that India and the EU are “in a very advanced stage of negotiating a free trade agreement.”

During his first visit to Luxembourg, the minister met Prime Minister Luc Frieden, held detailed talks with Foreign Minister Xavier Bettel and called on the Grand Duke of Luxembourg. Calling it “a very, very productive and a very satisfying day,” Jaishankar said he heard “very strong and very effusive words of praise for the Indian community” at all his meetings.

He said discussions also focused on India’s evolving economic and technological profile. “A lot of discussions were about how the digital infrastructure was working in India, how the space industry has taken off,” he said, noting Luxembourg’s interest in India’s progress despite its own long-standing satellite capabilities.

On the free trade agreement , Jaishankar said tariffs are only part of the challenge. “Often we get into very complicated issues of standards,” he said, citing debates over agricultural products such as rice. “Sometimes the paperwork involved… is very cumbersome. Sometimes tariff is a barrier, but these rules and regulations are another wall which you have to overcome.”

Explaining why such negotiations take time , he said, “Such deals take a long time precisely because of all these complexities.” He added that India is now “far, far more committed to pushing our products out in the world,” noting that despite tariff volatility, exports have performed “much better than people expected.”

Referring to recent trade pacts, Jaishankar said, “In the last few years, we’ve done a number of free trade agreements. Just last month, we signed one with Oman. We finalized one with New Zealand .” Even smaller agreements, he said, matter because “every bit adds something” and creates new opportunities for exporters.

Thanking the Indian community, Jaishankar said he was proud of the image they have built in Luxembourg and urged them to continue supporting India’s efforts to deepen ties. “Maybe, you have words of advice to give me as well,” he said, drawing laughter.