Prime Minister Narendra Modi today held delegation-level talks with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in New Delhi. During the talks, both sides committed to deepening engagement in trade, investment, technology and innovation, clean and green energy, connectivity, and people-to-people ties. India and the EU set an ambitious agenda for 2025 and beyond.
After the talks, in a joint statement, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said that the two-decade-old strategic partnership between India and the EU is natural and organic. He said that at its core, there is trust, a shared belief in democratic values, and a shared commitment to progress and prosperity. The Prime Minister mentioned that several decisions had been made to elevate and accelerate the partnership between India and the EU. Mr. Modi informed that a blueprint for cooperation on trade, technology, investment, innovation, green growth, security, skilling, and mobility has been prepared.
In his remarks, the Prime Minister added that to enhance connectivity, concrete steps will be taken to move forward with the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Mr. Modi expressed confidence that this will prove to be an engine to drive global commerce, sustainable growth, and prosperity.
On terrorism and cybersecurity, the Prime Minister emphasised that cooperation on cybersecurity, maritime security, and counterterrorism will be advanced. He added that both sides are unanimous on the importance of peace, security, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region. Mr. Modi said India welcomes the EU’s decision to join the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative.
Prime Minister Modi further said that people-to-people connections are the strongest asset of the India-EU relations. He said there has been a renewed agreement between the two sides regarding increasing academic, research, and industry partnerships. Mr. Modi expressed his belief that India’s young talent and Europe’s innovation can together create limitless possibilities. He said India welcomes the EU’s new visa “cascade” regime. He added that with this, the mobility of India’s talented youth will improve. He said that today both sides have decided to draft a bold and ambitious roadmap for the India-EU partnership from 2025 onwards, which will be launched during the next India-EU Summit.
In her remarks, President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that India is a like-minded friend of Europe and both are the two largest democracies in the world. She said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Modi, the relationship has been thriving. India and Europe are bound by shared convictions and values. She added that both sides have agreed to work on a new strategic agenda, which includes working together on economic growth. She also mentioned that Europe is already India’s biggest trading partner.
President von der Leyen arrived in Delhi yesterday for a two-day visit to India, accompanied by 22 EU commissioners. This is the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India and marks the first trip outside Europe for the new College of Commissioners, which took office in December last year. Earlier, the commissioners of the European Commission travelled to Hyderabad House in New Delhi on a bus powered by hydrogen fuel cell technology.
The bus has been developed and operated in collaboration with Tata Motors and Indian Oil Corporation Limited. India and Europe have been strategic partners since 2004, and their bilateral ties have expanded and deepened across a wide range of areas. The ties are multifaceted and cover a broad spectrum of areas, including trade, investment, climate change, and science and technology.
The EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods. Bilateral trade has increased by 90 percent in the past decade. There are extensive industry collaborations between Indian and European companies in the renewable and hydrogen sectors. The EU has joined India’s flagship international initiative on solar energy, the International Solar Alliance.
