External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar on Thursday stressed the need to transform the long-standing India-Bulgaria relationship into a modern and forward-looking partnership, saying both countries share similar political approaches and outlooks.
Addressing a joint press conference after talks with Bulgaria’s Foreign Minister Velislava Petrova in Sofia, Jaishankar said the discussions focused on bilateral cooperation, India’s partnership with the European Union, and the role both countries can play in addressing global challenges.
“Our discussions today had three dimensions. First, the bilateral cooperation between India and Bulgaria. Second, the partnership between India and the European Union. And third, what our two countries can do together for the world,” Jaishankar said.
Describing ties between the two nations as longstanding and comfortable, he said the priority now is to reshape the relationship to meet contemporary needs and future opportunities.
“Where India-Bulgaria ties are concerned, these are longstanding and very comfortable. Our task is to refashion that into a contemporary and forward-looking relationship. Politically, as our talks confirmed, we share many similar approaches and outlooks,” he added.
During his visit, Jaishankar also called on Bulgaria’s President Rumen Radev and conveyed the personal greetings of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Highlighting the growing India-European Union partnership, Jaishankar referred to recent agreements on a free trade pact, security and defence cooperation, and a mobility framework, saying these initiatives could significantly deepen engagement between the two sides.
The External Affairs Minister also pointed to the increasingly volatile global environment marked by conflicts, economic uncertainties, health crises and terrorism, reiterating India’s belief that disputes should be resolved through dialogue and diplomacy.
“We believe that this is not an era of war. The only solution to conflicts is dialogue and diplomacy. Where economic risks are concerned, the answer is in supply chain resilience and further diversification. It is particularly important that maritime trade is neither impeded nor endangered,” he said.
Jaishankar further underlined India’s advocacy for the Global South, particularly on issues related to energy, food and fertiliser security. Referring to lessons from the COVID-19 pandemic, he stressed the importance of deeper international cooperation in addressing global challenges.
On terrorism, the EAM called for a firm global stance based on zero tolerance and noted that India and Bulgaria shared common views on the issue.
“As for terrorism, the world must be clear on zero tolerance. On all these issues, there was a meeting of the minds between India and Bulgaria,” Jaishankar said.
IANS
