Jaishankar may highlight India’s stance on CAA at Munich meet

NEW DELHI: The Indian government will have an opportunity to highlight its position on the country’s new citizenship law and discuss regional issues such as the situation in Afghanistan when external affairs minister S Jaishankar visits Germany and Belgium later this month.

Jaishankar is expected to attend the Munich Security Conference, which will bring together top leaders from around the world during February 14-16, and to travel to Brussels for meetings with leaders of European Union (EU) states, people familiar with the developments said.

The trip to Brussels will also help prepare the ground for the India-eu Summit that is expected to be held on March 13, the people cited above said.

The Munich Security Conference, which bills itself as the world’s leading forum for debating global security policy, will be attended by Iran’s foreign minister Javad Zarif, Canada’s PM Justin Trudeau and other leaders.

Jaishankar is expected to be in Munich on February 15 and then travel to Brussels on February 17, the people said. “At both locations, there will be opportunities for the minister to engage with European and other leaders and to speak about various issues, including India’s position on the Citizenship (Amendment) Act ,” said a person who declined to be named. The Munich meet will also allow India to highlight its concerns related to terrorism emanating from Pakistan and the need for concerted international efforts to combat the menace.

On January 29, the European Parliament debated a resolution critical of the CAA, but put off a vote till a session to be held in March. PM Narendra Modi is expected to represent India at the India-eu Summit .