External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar attended the first V4+India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York on September 21, 2026, on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly. The meeting brought India together with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic, the four members of the Visegrád Group. The discussions focused on strengthening political, economic, technological and defence cooperation while creating a more regular platform for India-Central Europe engagement.
What Is the V4+India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting?
The V4+India format brings India together with the four Central European countries that make up the Visegrád Group, commonly known as V4: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
The September 2026 meeting was the first foreign-minister-level meeting between India and the V4 as a group. It was held under Slovakia’s presidency of the Visegrád Group.
The participating ministers discussed how the new format could complement India’s existing bilateral relationships with each of the four countries. The meeting therefore created an additional channel for cooperation alongside India’s individual partnerships and its wider relationship with the European Union.
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Major Areas of Cooperation
The discussions covered several areas that have both economic and strategic importance.
Trade and Investment
Economic cooperation was one of the central themes. India and the V4 countries discussed opportunities to increase trade and investment and to create greater interaction between businesses.
The countries also agreed to establish an Annual Business Forum, giving companies and other stakeholders a regular platform to explore commercial opportunities.
Technology and Innovation
Technology and innovation were another important part of the discussions. The participants explored ways to strengthen cooperation in technology, research and innovation.
The partnership also includes opportunities for greater interaction between academic and research institutions. This could create more channels for knowledge exchange and collaborative research between India and Central Europe.
Defence and Security
India and the V4 countries also discussed defence and security cooperation.
Jaishankar highlighted India’s long-standing defence relationships with all four V4 countries and said there was an intention to reinvigorate this cooperation. The discussions also included broader security issues and the changing international environment.
Connectivity, Education and Mobility
Connectivity, education and people-to-people relations were also part of the meeting.
Indian students are present across the V4 countries, making education and mobility an important element of the relationship. Greater interaction among people, institutions and businesses can support broader cooperation beyond government-to-government relations.
Annual Foreign Ministers’ Meetings Agreed
One of the key outcomes was the decision to hold annual V4+India foreign ministers’ meetings.
Regular ministerial meetings can provide a structured mechanism for reviewing ongoing cooperation and identifying new areas for collaboration. The proposed annual dialogue also gives the V4+India format continuity rather than limiting it to occasional diplomatic meetings.
The Annual Business Forum is expected to complement this political dialogue by creating a platform for businesses and economic stakeholders.
Global Issues and Multilateralism
The meeting was not limited to bilateral or regional cooperation. The ministers also exchanged views on international and regional developments, peace and security, and cooperation through multilateral institutions.
Issues affecting the Global South and the need for reformed multilateralism were also discussed.
For India, engagement with Central European countries through a smaller multilateral format provides another avenue for discussing international governance and contemporary global challenges.
V4 Countries and India’s UNSC Position
The meeting also attracted attention because of comments from Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár regarding India’s bid for permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council.
Following the meeting, Blanár said that the four V4 countries agreed that India should have a place as a permanent member of the Security Council. This position was reported after the meeting and adds another dimension to India’s diplomatic engagement with Central Europe.
The issue of Security Council reform has been a long-standing part of India’s foreign-policy agenda. However, support from individual countries or groups does not itself change the formal composition of the Security Council, which requires a broader international process.
Why the V4+India Format Matters
The new format adds another layer to India’s engagement with Europe.
India already maintains individual relationships with Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The V4+India mechanism provides an opportunity to discuss shared interests collectively.
The areas identified during the first meeting include:
- Political dialogue and annual ministerial meetings
- Trade and investment
- Technology and innovation
- Research and education
- Defence and security
- Connectivity
- Mobility and people-to-people relations
- Cultural cooperation
- Multilateral cooperation
The format may also help connect India’s interests with Central European capabilities in manufacturing, technology, research and innovation.
India-Europe Relations Enter Another Phase
The V4+India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting comes as India continues to expand its engagement with European countries and institutions.
The Central European region has industrial, technological and strategic capabilities that can complement India’s economic and development priorities. At the same time, India’s large economy, technology sector, skilled workforce and growing international partnerships make it an important partner for European countries.
The first meeting does not by itself establish a new treaty or alliance. Instead, it creates a structured framework for dialogue and cooperation. Its long-term significance will depend on how effectively the commitments announced in New York are translated into regular meetings, business engagement and practical cooperation.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the V4+India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting?
It is a foreign-minister-level dialogue between India and the four members of the Visegrád Group: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
When was the first V4+India meeting held?
The first meeting was held on September 21, 2026, in New York on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly.
Who participated from India?
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar represented India at the meeting.
Which countries are members of the V4?
The V4 consists of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
What did India and the V4 countries agree on?
They agreed to strengthen cooperation in political, economic, technological, research, education, defence, connectivity and people-to-people areas. They also agreed on annual foreign ministers’ meetings and an Annual Business Forum.
Did the V4 support India’s permanent UNSC membership?
Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár stated after the meeting that all four V4 countries supported India’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council.
Conclusion
The first V4+India Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in New York established a new platform for India and four Central European countries to work together. Annual foreign ministers’ meetings and an Annual Business Forum are intended to give the relationship greater continuity, while cooperation in technology, trade, defence, education and connectivity broadens its scope.
The next stage will be to see how these commitments develop into practical projects and sustained engagement between India and the Visegrád countries.
The core meeting details are supported by Akashvani/Ministry of External Affairs material, including the participating countries and cooperation areas. The annual FM meetings and Annual Business Forum were also reported following Jaishankar’s remarks India Today Group . The V4 position on India’s permanent UNSC membership was reported after the meeting by multiple outlets Indian Express.
