New Delhi/Brussels, 22 November (H.S.): India's Secretary (West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, Ambassador Sibi George, underscored India's commitment to a secure and prosperous Indo-Pacific at the 4th EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum on Friday. The two-day event, held in Brussels from November 20-21, convened leaders from the EU and partner nations to bolster cooperation for a resilient and rules-based international order.
In a significant keynote address at the High-Level event on Critical Maritime Infrastructure, Secretary George advocated for robust frameworks to protect vital sea lanes. The session was co-chaired by Kaja Kallas, the Prime Minister of Estonia and the EU's High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, highlighting the critical importance of maritime security in the current geopolitical landscape.
Ambassador George also addressed a pivotal roundtable on Shared Prosperity, Economic Security, and Digital Connectivity, where he articulated India's vision for sustainable economic growth and secure digital ecosystems. This session was co-chaired by Ekaterina Zaharieva, the European Commissioner for Startups, Research & Innovation, and Singapore's Foreign Minister, Vivian Balakrishnan.
On the sidelines of the forum, Secretary George engaged in a series of diplomatic discussions to fortify bilateral and multilateral ties. He exchanged views with the Deputy Prime Minister of Cambodia, as well as the Foreign Ministers of the Czech Republic, Indonesia, and Singapore.
Additionally, a dedicated bilateral meeting was held with the Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs of Lithuania to discuss matters of mutual interest. These interactions reflect India's proactive diplomacy and its deepening engagement with European and Indo-Pacific partners.
The forum serves as a key platform for advancing the India-EU strategic partnership, with discussions laying the groundwork for the next India-EU Summit.
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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar
