European Policy Centre Investigates the Future of EU-India Relations Following European Commission Visit
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Synopsis
The European Policy Centre hosts a dialogue on the evolving EU-India relations following the European Commission's visit, affirming the partnership's strategic significance and future cooperation across various sectors.
Key Takeaways
- The EU-India partnership has been fortified during the European Commission's recent visit.
- Shared values and principles bolster the strategic relationship between India and the EU.
- Future cooperation will focus on trade, technology, and sustainability.
- The visit marked a historic moment for both democracies.
- Intensified collaboration is essential for mutual growth.
Brussels, March 21 (NationPress) The evolving partnership between India and the European Union (EU), who have been strategic allies since 2004, was thoroughly examined during a forum titled 'EU-India Relations: What’s next after the European Commission's landmark visit to India' hosted by the Brussels-based European Policy Centre. This event aimed to analyze the future of India-EU relations in light of the recent European Commission visit to India.
During this well-attended policy discussion, Saurabh Kumar, the Ambassador of India to the EU, emphasized the strategic significance of the EU Commission's visit, the leadership-level interactions, key outcomes, and the prospective trajectory of relations.
President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen, along with the European Union College of Commissioners, visited India from February 27 to February 28. This marked the first-ever collective visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India.
"This is a historic moment for EU-India relations. In an era of geopolitical uncertainty, the world’s two largest democracies unite to promote multilateralism. We are advancing discussions on economic integration, youth mobility, security, and green and technological innovation," stated Sandro Gozi, a Member of the European Parliament who participated in the discussions, on X after the event.
During the historic visit, the EU and India strengthened their strategic ties.
Von der Leyen underscored the need for enhanced EU-India relations in a world that is becoming increasingly complex, highlighting that the interests of both parties align more often than not.
During the Commission's visit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission acknowledged that the EU-India Strategic Partnership has brought significant benefits to their peoples as well as the broader global community. They pledged to elevate this partnership to a higher level, building upon two decades of the India-EU Strategic Partnership and over 30 years of the India-EC Cooperation Agreement.
The leaders agreed on the importance of shared values and principles, such as democracy, rule of law, and a rules-based international order consistent with the objectives and principles of the UN Charter, which position India and the EU as like-minded and trusted partners.
They also noted the necessity of intensifying collaboration between India and Europe in various areas including trade, supply chain resilience, investment, emerging critical technologies, innovation, talent development, digital and green industrial transitions, space and geospatial sectors, defense, and enhancing people-to-people contacts.
"India and Europe share a robust partnership founded on common values, innovation, and sustainability. Our close collaboration is paving the way for a brighter future for our planet. Together, we will strive for a prosperous world," PM Modi stated on X after his meeting with the European Commission delegation.
