New Delhi [India], October 20 (ANI): Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to India, Herve Delphin, on Monday said that all 27 EU member states support a new comprehensive EU-India strategic agenda.
In a post on X sharing a statement from the EU Council Press, Delphin described the news from Brussels as “coming with the Diwali spirit.” “News from Brussels coming with the Diwali spirit! EU 27 Member States unanimous in support of a new India-EU ambitious and comprehensive strategic agenda for the years to come. Next step: EU and India to agree on a joint roadmap for early next year’s India-EU Summit in Delhi,” he wrote.
The European Council on Monday approved conclusions on the new strategic EU-India agenda and welcomed the strong momentum in relations between the EU and India. The conclusions endorse the Joint Communication on a “New Strategic EU-India Agenda” by the High Representative and the European Commission, aiming to deepen EU-India ties across prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defense, connectivity, and global issues.
The Council particularly welcomed efforts to conclude a balanced, ambitious, mutually beneficial, and economically meaningful Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which the European Commission and Indian government aim to finalize by the end of the year. The agreement is expected to include enhanced market access, removal of trade barriers, and provisions on sustainable development, the Council said in a release.
Amid a complex geopolitical outlook, the Council also welcomed closer EU-India collaboration on security and defense matters based on mutual trust and respect. It noted the intention to pursue work toward establishing a Security and Defence Partnership, which could facilitate defense industrial cooperation when appropriate.
The Council emphasized continued engagement with India on all aspects of Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine. It highlighted the joint responsibility of the EU and India to safeguard multilateralism and the rules-based international order, with the UN Charter at its core, and to support the multilateral trading system, particularly the WTO. Promotion and protection of democratic values, international law, and human rights, including the rights of women and children, are integral to the EU-India strategic agenda.
The Council invited the High Representative and the Commission to advance the articulation and implementation of the new strategic EU-India agenda based on priorities outlined in the Joint Communication.
“New strategic EU-India agenda: EU Council approves conclusions. Enhanced political, trade, economic, research & innovation, and security cooperation between the EU and India will boost the delivery of prosperity and stability for both peoples,” EU Council Press stated on X.
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal said last month that India and the EU are working sincerely to finalize a comprehensive and balanced FTA that benefits businesses and consumers on both sides. He emphasized that such an agreement cannot be one-sided, noting that every negotiation requires give and take to ensure fairness and balance. (ANI)
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