India Prepared to Elevate Ties with EU: PM Modi to Ursula von der Leyen
The European Commission and the High Representative have adopted a Joint Communication outlining a 'New Strategic EU-India Agenda', marking a significant step forward in the relationship between the two global powers. The document was unveiled on Wednesday.
The new agenda aims to deepen, broaden, and better coordinate bilateral cooperation. It identifies significant untapped potential in trade and investment, outlining strategies to strengthen commercial ties, particularly finalising the ongoing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the adoption of the new Strategic EU-India Agenda, expressing India's readiness to take its relationship with the European Union to the next level. PM Modi also thanked Ursula von der Leyen for her warm birthday wishes.
During a recent phone call, PM Modi and Ursula von der Leyen exchanged views on regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Joint Communication stresses on strengthening regional connectivity initiatives, like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and advances Global Gateway and EU-India trilateral cooperation.
The Joint Communication also emphasizes fostering defence industrial cooperation, including boosting production and technological capabilities, securing supply chains, and driving innovation. Launching negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement will support closer security and defence cooperation between the EU and India.
The new agenda also focuses on deepening tech cooperation, including a potential EU-India Startup partnership, and invites India to associate with Horizon Europe program. It suggests ambitious initiatives for decarbonisation and the clean transition, such as intensifying cooperation on renewables, developing green hydrogen capabilities, and expanding green finance.
Moreover, it highlights opportunities to jointly strengthen food security, and health, climate, and disaster resilience. Closer cooperation on the Indo-Pacific, addressing hybrid threats, space security, and intensifying engagement on Russia's war against Ukraine, shadow fleets, and sanctions are other areas of focus.
The Joint Communication takes forward the proposed EU-India Security and Defence Partnership, focusing on crisis management, maritime security, cyber defence, and counterterrorism. The institutions named in the Joint Communication for negotiations on a security agreement to enable the exchange of classified information are not explicitly detailed in the available search results.
The EU, with its new strategy, is taking its relationship with India to the next level by advancing trade, investment, and talent mobility while deepening industrial cooperation in the defence sector. The Joint Communication proposes increasing interaction and bolstering coordination between India and the EU at all levels, including skills mobility with the pilot European Legal Gateway Office to facilitate labour mobility.
PM Modi also posted on social media that India remains committed to an early and peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict. The two leaders expressed their commitment for concluding the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations before the end of the year.
Ursula von der Leyen, the European Union chief, extended warm birthday wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday. The Joint Communication outlines the EU's strategic vision for enhancing cooperation with India in five areas of shared interest. The new Strategic EU-India Agenda is a testament to the growing bond between the EU and India, promising a brighter future for bilateral relations.
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