Luxembourg City: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar interacted with members of the Indian community in Luxembourg, warmly appreciating their role in deepening ties between India and the European country.

Community As Catalyst

Addressing the gathering, EAM Jaishankar underlined the steady expansion of the India–Luxembourg partnership across several domains, notably political engagement, business cooperation and emerging technologies.

Sharing details of his meetings with Luxembourg’s leadership, EAM said, “I would of course like to talk to you a little bit about the relationship and the larger context. But before I do that, I must also share with you that at every one of these meetings, starting with the Grand Duke, with the Prime Minister, with the Foreign Minister, I heard very strong and very effusive words of praise for the Indian community.”

“When you hear that in a very natural way from your counterparts and from the authorities of the country you are visiting, it really leaves you with a very good feeling. The sense that in their eyes, this is a community that has been very well integrated. It is seen as very contributive,” he added.

Strategic Significance

EAM asserted that the partnership between India and Luxembourg holds significance for several reasons, particularly within the broader European framework.

He noted that Luxembourg lies at the heart of the European Union and, as one of its founding members, wields considerable influence over the Union and its decision-making processes.

Brussels Influence

EAM said that at a time when India is seeking to ramp up its engagement with the EU, Luxembourg’s influence in Brussels over collective decision-making assumes importance.

“And I was given really the fullest assurance that, as you know, we are right now in a very advanced stage of negotiating a free trade agreement. In other areas, whether it is technology, defence, connectivity, or mobility, there is a lot that is happening with the European Union. But the influence of Luxembourg, and I think the goodwill of Luxembourg in support of the relationship, is something which will surely come into play,” he stated.

EAM Jaishankar also called on the Grand Duke Guillaume of Luxembourg and conveyed warm greetings from President Droupadi Murmu. Following his meeting with the Grand Duke, EAM took to X and posted, “Value his positive sentiments for India, and for deepening our bilateral partnership.”