India and the Visegrad Group (V4) countries comprising Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and the Czech Republic have called for a pragmatic approach to energy security and diversification. The first V4+India Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly. The meeting was chaired by Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanar and attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Hungarian Foreign Minister Anita Orbanova, Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka, and Polish Foreign Minister Radosaw Sikorski.
Energy security and the impact of global conflicts on supply chains were prominent in the discussions. Blanar emphasized that India and the V4 countries face immense challenges related to the war in Ukraine and the Middle East, which exert a profound impact on their economies. He highlighted the importance of cooperation in this domain and a pragmatic and non-ideological approach to energy issues, focusing on economic and industrial competitiveness.
Defence and technology cooperation emerged as key areas for India and the V4 countries. Jaishankar described the meeting as a productive opportunity to work with the Central European group, highlighting their industrial, innovation, and technological capabilities. He expressed India's willingness to explore greater cooperation in technology and innovation and highlighted the existing defence relationship with all four V4 countries.
The discussions also covered major global developments, including the Ukraine conflict and developments in the Gulf. Jaishankar stated that the meeting was a worthwhile and productive opportunity to discuss cooperation and major global crises. The meeting marked the launch of the V4+India format at the Foreign Ministers' level, providing a structured platform for India and the four Central European countries to discuss economic and strategic cooperation.
Blanar said the first V4+India meeting was the result of an 11-year effort by Slovakia to establish the format. He described the platform as offering strategic potential for cooperation and considered the session a historic success for Slovak diplomacy. The two sides also discussed economic cooperation and the potential for stronger trade and investment ties.
The significance of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement was highlighted, which would create opportunities for the European Union and V4 economies. Blanar stated that if everything proceeds as planned, the agreement should be signed in December this year. This would be a major step forward, given India's growing economy and its potential to become a powerful economic heavyweight.
The meeting also covered multilateral issues, including reform of the United Nations system. Slovakia reiterated its support for India's ambition to secure a permanent seat on a reformed UN Security Council. Slovakia and India confirmed mutual support for their respective candidatures for non-permanent seats for the 2028-2029 term, solidifying their cooperation in key areas.
Key points
- India and Visegrad Group countries discuss energy security, defence, technology, and trade cooperation
- The first V4+India Foreign Ministers' Meeting was held in New York on the sidelines of the 81st Session of the United Nations General Assembly
- Slovakia reiterated its support for India's ambition to secure a permanent seat on a reformed UN Security Council
