Ms. Ursula Von der Leyen, the President of European Commission called on the President of India, Ram Nath Kovind at Rashtrapati Bhavan. Welcoming the European Commission President to India, the President said that India and the European Union are two most vibrant democracies, two of the largest open market economies and pluralistic societies. Later, he also met Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Kovind said that India and European Union share a common perspective on many regional and global issues, including a shared commitment to promoting an international rule based order based on reformed and effective multilateralism. The Strategic Partnership that India and EU share is one of the most important relationships for the upcoming decade and strengthening this relationship is a priority for India as it is for the EU.
In areas such as climate action, clean energy, sustainable growth, digital transformation and Research & Innovation, the EU will remain an important partner for achieving India’s high ambition in these areas.
Speaking about trade and investment between India and EU, the President pointed that EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods and also one of the most important sources of Foreign Direct Investment. He said that an India-EU Free Trade Agreement would unlock the full potential of India-EU economic relations. He stressed that as free-market economies, and world’s largest democracies, it is important for like-minded countries like India and the EU to deepen its economic engagement.
The President said that apart from deepening our economic relations, it is important for India and EU to engage in strategic and geo-political avenues such as in the Indo-Pacific. We look forward to the EU and its Member States joining the pillars of the Indo-Pacific Oceans’ Initiative. India believes that a more “Strategic EU” in the Indo-Pacific region would contribute to the region’s stability.
Modi holds talk with Leyen,
Prime Minister Modi thanked the EC President for consenting to deliver the inaugural address at the Raisina Dialogue this year, and said that he looked foward to hearing her address later in the day.
The leaders agreed that as large and vibrant democratic societies, India and Europe share similar values and a commonality of perspectives on many global issues. They reviewed the progress in the India-EU Strategic Partnership, including the forthcoming re-commencement of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement and Investment Agreement.
It was agreed to institute a high-level Trade & Technology Commission to provide political-level oversight of all aspects of the India-EU relationship, and to ensure coordination between different areas of cooperation.
