Remarks by EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar on the occasion of the launch of European Legal Gateway Office in India

Executive Vice President Henna Virkkunen,

Director General Susanne Raab,

Excellencies, Distinguished guests, Friends from the Media,

It is a real pleasure to be with you today for the launch of the European Legal Gateway Office in India - an initiative that reflects the growing depth, confidence and maturity of the India - European Union strategic partnership.

Friends, we meet today following a truly defining moment in India-EU relations. The State visit of the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission to India as Guests of Honour for the Republic Day, which is the first ever participation by such EU leaders, symbolises the growing closeness, depth, dynamism, ambition and future of our ties.

India's partnership with the EU is promising not just because of our shared values; but because we see each other today as natural and preferred partners, with more strategic convergence than ever before. The conclusion of negotiations for an India - EU FTA, the signing of the Security and Defence Partnership, along with the other concrete outcomes of the 16th India EU Summit have put forward a roadmap for a shared future. The adoption of the "Towards 2030: a Joint India - European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda" at the Summit, really opens up a new chapter in our ties - chapter towards mutual prosperity, security and sustainability, and in that, we recognise the key role of talent, skills and knowledge. Now, the Comprehensive Framework for Cooperation on Mobility that was signed at the Summit, and the establishment of this Legal Gateway Office, translate our broader understanding into concrete action.

Excellencies, Friends,

We are living through a period of profound transformation in the global economy. De-risking is a growing priority. Supply chains are being reconfigured. Technology is reshaping work. Demographics are diverging sharply across geographies. The concept of a global workforce is an emerging reality. Countries that can connect talent flows with seizing opportunities, while ensuring legality, transparency and fairness, will be best positioned to navigate this transition.

With one of the world's youngest populations, a rapidly growing skills base, and strong capabilities in digital, scientific and emerging technologies, India is increasingly a major contributor to global talent pools. We believe in mobility with a purpose - mobility that is legal and regular, mobility that empowers individuals, strengthens partner economies, and contributes to development at home.

The European Legal Gateway Office must be appreciated in this larger context. It will serve as an enabler - one that brings predictability and clarity to mobility pathways across the European Union. As a trusted interface, it will help students, researchers and professionals understand opportunities, pathways and qualification frameworks. By doing so, it reduces uncertainty and enhances confidence, particularly among young Indians seeking to engage Europe's diverse education and innovation ecosystems.

India's recent international engagements reflect a consistent belief that global challenges require connected societies and cooperative solutions. Talent mobility, when responsibly promoted, is part of that solution. Our focus for the AI Impact Summit has been to recognize AI's unique capacity to bridge divides: amplify growth, enable social progress and deliver solutions on scale. Our core philosophy is encapsulated in "AI for All" that is grounded in ethical, human-centric advancement, and driven by the principle of "Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas", which is - 'Together with all, development for all'.

So let me conclude by offering a final thought. The European Legal Gateway Office is not just a facilitation for entry into Europe. It is a bridge between our societies, and expression of our trust, and an investment in a shared global workforce that is skilled, mobile and resilient.

I thank you for your attention.

New Delhi
February 18, 2026