Photo Credit: x.com/DrSJaishankar/
External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar participated in the informal meeting of European Union Foreign Ministers, known as the Gymnich meeting, in Cyprus on May 27-28, where discussions centred on geopolitical developments in West Asia, India-EU cooperation and the evolving multipolar global order.
Dr. Jaishankar attended the meeting in Limassol at the invitation of EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas and Cyprus Foreign Minister Dr. Constantinos Kombos. The high-level engagement comes amid deepening India-European Union strategic ties and growing cooperation across trade, technology, security and connectivity.
Before arriving in Cyprus, Dr. Jaishankar made a stopover in Germany on May 27, where he was received at Frankfurt Airport by India’s Ambassador to Germany Ajit Gupte. According to the Indian Embassy in Germany, Ambassador Gupte briefed the minister on the current state of India-Germany relations and discussed ways to further strengthen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership.
“Hon’ble EAM was received by Amb Ajit Gupte at Frankfurt Airport, enroute to Cyprus for the EU FM meeting. Ambassador briefed EAM on India-Germany relations and sought EAM’s guidance to further strengthen the India-Germany Strategic Partnership,” the Embassy posted on X.
Focus on Strategic Cooperation and Regional Developments
During the working session of the Gymnich meeting on May 28, EU foreign ministers and invited partners discussed developments in West Asia and the wider region, along with broader strategic and economic cooperation.
Sharing details of the discussions, Dr. Jaishankar posted on X: “Great to be in Limassol to join the informal Gymnich meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Ministers. Our partnership with EU and the region continues to deepen across a wide range of domains. Discussed opportunities, practical collaborations and our shared interests in the emerging multipolar order.”
The Gymnich meetings are informal gatherings of EU foreign ministers held periodically to deliberate on pressing geopolitical, economic and strategic challenges facing Europe and the international community.
Bilateral Meetings with EU and Regional Leaders
On the sidelines of the meeting, Dr. Jaishankar held a series of bilateral engagements with senior global leaders, including EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, Cyprus Foreign Minister Constantinos Kombos, Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan bin Abdullah, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, and Spain’s Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno.
The discussions focused on West Asia, bilateral cooperation, India-EU strategic engagement and wider regional developments.
Following his meeting with Kaja Kallas, Dr. Jaishankar said: “Pleasure to meet EU HRVP @kajakallas this evening. Our discussions covered India-EU cooperation and the situation in West Asia/Middle East.”
EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin also highlighted the significance of the engagement, noting on X that the meeting “underlines our close ties.”
India-Spain Ties Expand Across Trade and Technology
During his interaction with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno, Dr. Jaishankar discussed expanding cooperation in trade, technology, defence and people-to-people relations.
“A pleasure to meet FM Jose Manuel Albares of Spain on sidelines of Cyprus Gymnich meeting today. Discussed further steps for our trade, technology, defence and P2P ties. Appreciate his views on ongoing global and regional developments,” Minister Jaishankar wrote on X.
The minister also held brief interactions with foreign ministers from the Netherlands, Poland, France, Slovakia, Estonia and Romania, as well as Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister Radosław Sikorski and the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean.
Wider Regional Engagements
Dr. Jaishankar also met Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, with discussions focusing on regional developments in West Asia.
“A good meeting with FM HH Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud of Saudi Arabia. Appreciate his assessments and insights on the evolving situation in West Asia/Middle East,” the EAM posted.
He additionally held discussions with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, where the two sides exchanged views on regional developments and bilateral cooperation.
Cyprus Visit Reinforces Strategic Partnership
During his visit to Nicosia, Dr. Jaishankar called on Cyprus President Nikos Christodoulides and conveyed greetings from President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The discussions reviewed the momentum in India-Cyprus relations following President Christodoulides’ state visit to India earlier in May, during which the two countries elevated their ties to a Strategic Partnership.
“The recent State Visit saw significant outcomes, taking our partnership to its next phase. Assured the President of strong follow up,” Dr. Jaishankar said.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), the two sides discussed enhancing cooperation in trade and investment, connectivity, defence and security, technology, innovation and people-to-people exchanges.
India and Cyprus also unveiled a five-year roadmap for defence cooperation during President Christodoulides’ India visit last week.
India-EU Ties on an Upward Trajectory
The Cyprus engagement comes at a time when India-EU relations are witnessing significant expansion across strategic and economic sectors. Earlier this year, India and the European Union concluded a landmark Free Trade Agreement, marking a major milestone in bilateral economic ties.
The EU currently remains India’s largest trading partner in goods. During the financial year 2024-25, total trade in goods between India and the EU stood at approximately USD 136 billion, including exports worth around USD 76 billion and imports valued at USD 60 billion.
The MEA said Minister Jaishankar’s Cyprus visit reinforced India’s deepening engagement with Cyprus, the European Union and key regional partners, while further strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
