India and the four member states of the Visegrád Group (V4), comprising Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, have agreed to significantly expand cooperation across a wide range of sectors, including politics, trade, technology, innovation, defence and people-to-people exchanges, following their first-ever V4+India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting held on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the gathering as a “new historic occasion”, underlining the importance of institutionalising engagement between India and the Central European grouping at a time when New Delhi’s broader relationship with the European Union is steadily deepening.

According to Jaishankar, the meeting marked the beginning of a more structured and ambitious partnership that seeks to build upon longstanding ties while identifying new areas of collaboration.

One of the most significant outcomes of the discussions was the consensus to hold annual meetings of the foreign ministers of India and the V4 countries. The move is expected to provide a regular platform for political consultations, strategic dialogue and policy coordination on regional and global issues.

The participating nations also agreed to establish an Annual Business Forum aimed at strengthening commercial engagement and encouraging greater interaction between businesses, investors, innovators and industry representatives from both sides.

EAM Jaishankar indicated that the initiative reflects growing economic opportunities between India and Central Europe, particularly as India expands its engagement with European markets and supply chains.

The discussions placed considerable emphasis on technology and innovation partnerships. The five countries agreed to explore new mechanisms for cooperation in emerging technologies, research, innovation ecosystems and educational linkages.

The V4 countries are widely recognised for their industrial capabilities, engineering expertise and technological talent, making them attractive partners for India's expanding innovation-driven economy.

Defence cooperation emerged as another major pillar of the dialogue. Jaishankar noted that India shares a long and substantive history of defence engagement with all four V4 countries. He stressed that both sides were keen to refresh and modernise these relationships, taking forward existing cooperation into newer domains.

The discussions reflected a mutual interest in strengthening defence industry ties, security cooperation and strategic engagement.

The meeting also reviewed opportunities in space collaboration, connectivity initiatives and mobility arrangements. Jaishankar pointed out that Indian students are currently studying in all four V4 countries, highlighting the growing educational and societal links that are helping to build stronger people-to-people connections. Expanding academic exchanges and cultural engagement was identified as an important component of the broader partnership.

Beyond bilateral and economic matters, the ministers exchanged views on some of the most pressing international developments. Discussions included the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the evolving security situation in the Gulf region.

The meeting provided an opportunity for participants to share assessments of these developments and examine their wider geopolitical implications. Jaishankar described these exchanges as useful and productive, noting that the conversations contributed to a deeper understanding of common global challenges.

In a message posted on social media following the talks, Jaishankar outlined a broad agenda agreed upon by the participants. This included closer political cooperation, deeper economic engagement, stronger partnerships in technology, innovation, research and education, reinvigorated defence cooperation, expanded cultural exchanges and enhanced people-to-people relations.

The countries also expressed support for strengthening multilateral cooperation and addressing shared international concerns through coordinated engagement.

The Visegrád Group, often known as the V4, is a Central European political and cultural grouping that brings together the Czech Republic, Hungary, Poland and Slovakia.

The organisation has traditionally focused on advancing cooperation in areas such as economic development, regional integration, security, energy and cultural affairs.

For India, closer engagement with the V4 provides access to a region known for strong manufacturing capabilities, advanced engineering sectors, research institutions and strategic geographical positioning within Europe.

A notable diplomatic development emerged during the meeting when Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár reiterated the V4 countries’ support for India’s aspiration to become a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.

Blanár stated that India, as a leading voice of the Global South and an increasingly influential Indo-Pacific power, deserves a permanent seat at the UN’s highest decision-making body. The endorsement adds further European backing to New Delhi’s long-standing campaign for comprehensive reform of the Security Council.

The meeting brought together Jaishankar, Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Radek Sikorski, Hungary’s Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Anita Orbán, Slovak Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanár and Czech Foreign Minister Petr Macinka. The gathering represented the first ministerial-level engagement in the newly established V4+India format and is being viewed as an important milestone in India’s outreach to Central Europe.

Separately, as part of his engagements during the UN General Assembly session in New York, Jaishankar also held bilateral meetings with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot and Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Roberto Kury, continuing an intensive diplomatic schedule aimed at strengthening India’s global partnerships and advancing discussions on regional and international issues.

Overall, the inaugural V4+India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting signalled a shared intent to transform existing friendly relations into a more structured strategic partnership.

Through annual political consultations, a dedicated business forum, expanded technology collaboration, revitalised defence links, closer educational and cultural exchanges, and alignment on major international issues, India and the V4 countries have laid the groundwork for a broader and more institutionalised relationship that is likely to gain increasing importance in the years ahead.

ANI