External Affairs Minister Jaishankar on Sweden visit meets Defence and Foreign Ministers

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on his three-day visit to Sweden met with Defence Minister Pal Jonson and Foreign Minister Tobias Billstrom.

Minister S. Jaishankar tweeted “Good to meet Defence Minister Pal Jonson of Sweden. Useful exchange of views on regional and global security.” Following his meeting with his Swedish counterpart, Jaishankar told that both countries are committed to taking bilateral cooperation to the next level. The two countries also had a word on the Indo-Pacific, the European strategic situation, and de-risking the global economy.

“Wide-ranging discussions with FM @TobiasBillstrom as India and Sweden mark 75 years of diplomatic ties,” the EAM said in the next tweet.

The External Affairs Minister will also be participating in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial while on a three-day visit. He will be attending the opening session of the India Trilateral Forum involving India, Europe, and the US, with his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billstrom.

S Jaishankar will also talk on India-EU relations while he is in the region because Sweden is presently the EU Council’s Presidency. The multipolar world was emphasized by Jaishankar at the EU-India Pacific Ministerial Forum.

“The Indo-Pacific is a complex and differentiated landscape that is best understood through more intensive engagement. A generous and strategic approach that caters to economic asymmetries will surely enhance the EU’s appeal. The more European Union and Indo-Pacific deal with each other, the stronger will be their respective appreciation of multi-polarity. And remember, a multipolar world, which the EU prefers, is feasible only by a multipolar Asia,” said External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar.

EU has big stakes in Indo-Pacific development: External Affairs Minister

He also went on to say that the EU has a big interest in the Indo-Pacific developments, especially regarding technology, trade, and finance. Jaishankar dealt with globalization and established thinking at the forum.

“Globalization is the overwhelming reality of our times. However, far apart, regions and nations cannot be impervious to significant events elsewhere. Nor can we cherry-pick them to our convenience. The European Union has major stakes in Indo-Pacific developments, especially as they pertain to technology, connectivity, trade, and finance. It has to, in respect for, and observance of UNCLOS. Agnosticism on such matters is therefore no longer an option,” Jaishankar said.