External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar met a delegation of Czech MEPs to the European Parliament on Sunday and they had a ‘good discussion’ on India’s ties with the EU and the Czech Republic, the Indo-Pacific , food and energy security and digital cooperation. . Jaishankar is here for the final leg of his two-country tour to Slovakia and the Czech Republic to give new impetus to relations with the two Central European countries.

The Czech Republic will assume the presidency of the European Union from 1 July.

He arrived in Prague on Saturday from the Slovak capital Bratislava.

In Prague, he began his engagements by meeting a delegation of Czech Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) Jan Zahradil, TomaS Zdechovsky, MikulaS Peksa and Veronika Vrecionova.

“I started my engagements in Prague by meeting a delegation of Czech MEPs. A good discussion on India’s ties with the EU and the Czech Republic, Indo-Pacific, food and energy security and the digital cooperation,” Jaishankar tweeted.

India, the United States and several other world powers have spoken of the need to ensure a free, open and prosperous Indo-Pacific amid China’s aggressive military maneuvers in the region.

China also claims almost all of the disputed South China Sea, although Taiwan, the Philippines, Brunei, Malaysia and Vietnam all claim parts of it. Beijing has built artificial islands and military installations in the South China Sea.

Jaishankar, after his meeting with the delegation of Czech MEPs, thanked them for taking the time on a Sunday.

“Thank you @ZahradilJan, @TomasZdechovsky, @vonpecka and @vrecionova for taking time out on a Sunday,” he said in another tweet.

The Foreign Minister’s visit comes at a time when Europe is grappling with the implications of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. The question is likely to feature in his interviews in the Czech Republic.

During his visit to the Czech Republic from June 4 to 6, Jaishankar will meet with Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky.

“The talks will be an opportunity for a comprehensive review of our bilateral cooperation,” the foreign ministry said in a statement before his departure.

In addition to meeting the country’s political leaders, Jaishankar will also interact with a cross section of the Indian diaspora, including Indian students in the Czech Republic.

“India traditionally enjoys close and friendly relations with Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The visit of the Foreign Minister will give new impetus to bilateral relations with the two Central European countries,” the MEA said.