India and the four-member Visegrád Group (V4) held their first-ever foreign ministers’ meeting on the sidelines of the 81st United Nations General Assembly in New York on September 21, 2026. The meeting brought together India’s External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar and foreign ministers from Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and the Czech Republic.
The meeting was organised under Slovakia’s presidency of the V4. Slovak Foreign Minister Juraj Blanár said his country had worked for several years to establish the V4+India format, describing the first meeting as an important step toward regular cooperation.
During the meeting, India and the V4 countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in several areas. The discussions covered political relations, economic cooperation, defence, technology, innovation, culture and people-to-people contacts. The countries also agreed to explore an annual meeting of foreign ministers and an annual business forum.
The ministers also exchanged views on major international developments and global challenges. The discussions included issues affecting Europe and the wider international community, including the Ukraine conflict and developments in the Gulf region.
A significant part of the meeting was India’s push for reform of the United Nations Security Council. The four V4 countries expressed support for India’s bid for a permanent seat on the Security Council. Slovak Foreign Minister Blanár said the V4 countries agreed that India should have a place as a permanent member of the UN’s top decision-making body.
Jaishankar described the first V4+India meeting as a “new historic occasion” and said the talks were productive. He highlighted the importance of developing closer political, economic and defence cooperation with the four Central European countries.
The meeting also provides a new platform for India to engage collectively with the four Central European nations. The V4 countries have already developed individual relationships with India, and the new format could provide another channel for cooperation on shared interests.
The two sides are expected to continue discussions through regular diplomatic meetings and business-level engagements. The proposed annual business forum could also provide opportunities for companies from India and the V4 countries to explore trade and investment partnerships.
The first V4+India meeting therefore marks a new step in India’s engagement with Central Europe, with both sides looking to expand cooperation across political, economic, defence, technology and cultural areas.