Before her visit to India, the president of the European Commission Ursula von der leyen Tell you in an interview that the EU will try to maintain international order based on rules in Indo-Pacific and to strengthen defense cooperation with India. Responding to Trump’s pricing threats, she said the EU will respond to any unjustified rate.
As Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyenthis Week for talks to further deepen EU-Indian cooperation in trade, technology and economic security, the EU chief told you in an exclusive interview that the 27-member union is committed to maintaining the international order based on rules in Indo-Pacific, including by security commitment.
With the EU preparing to unveil a new strategic program with India at the EU-Indian summit, which will be held later this year, the president asked for a stronger cooperation for a common technological program, the progress of ALE talks and a strengthening of defense and security cooperation.
The EU described von der The visit of Leyen in India this week also unprecedented, because it is the first time that she runs a delegation from the entire college of EU commissioners in the country. While the two parties are preparing for another series of ALE talks next month, Von Der Leyen said that it was convinced that the agreement could be obtained if the two parties are committed to it, adding that there are 6000 EU companies in India that have created 8 million jobs together. “So let’s finish what we started, for the benefit of our two economies,” she said.
And while President Trump throws the transatlantic alliance in disarray, beating friends and enemies with prices, Von Der Leyen said there were no winners in a trade war and that unjustified prices will not remain unanswered.
Extracts:
1. What is your evaluation of the progress made in the strategic partnership in India-EU under the roadmap until 2025 which was announced at the last summit? How can the two parties work to guarantee that Indian ties act as a stabilizing influence in an increasingly uncertain world and subject to conflicts?
At this time to multiply conflicts and intense geostrategic competition, Europe wishes to strengthen its partnership with India, one of its most reliable friends. This is why I come with all the commissioners in New Delhi, as one of the first trips of my new mandate.
There is a great positive impulse in our relationships. Together, we can advance trade, economic security and resilient supply chains. We will also strengthen our cooperation on a common technological program, as well as strengthen defense security and cooperation.
2. How do you plan to advance cooperation in key areas such as trade and investment, technology, green transition, security and to ensure more resilient supply chains in critical sectors?
Europe has many ideas for strengthening our partnership with India, and we look forward to discussing it with the government of India. Before the summer, we will present a new strategic program for our relationships, laying the foundations for new progress during our next EU-Indian summit.
We aim to advance discussions on a free trade agreement, to expand cooperation on digital technologies, in particular AI, and to accelerate our work on clean technologies such as electric vehicles and green hydrogen. On security, we will deepen collaboration in cybersecurity, the fight against terrorism, maritime security and even spatial security!
3. After 15 years of Ale talks, to what extent the hope of India and the EU will soon be able to reach a complete and mutually beneficial agreement?
Discussions on a free trade agreement were relaunched in 2021 and we are now preparing for a 10th round of negotiations in Brussels. There is more work to do at the technical level, but I am convinced that we can cross the finish line if we both commit. Europe is already the largest trading partner in India and the third investor. Over the past twenty years, our business has tripled. European companies in India are booming.
There are 6,000 EU companies in India. They created 8 million direct and indirect jobs in the country. So now, let’s finish what we started, for the benefit of our two savings.
4. Despite your growing concentration on a strategic program with India and common concerns concerning the affirmation of the assertion of China, there is still a feeling that Europe is more concerned with implementing the rule of law in Europe than in other parts of the world, or in particular to Indo-Pacific. Do you think you need to make your Indo-Pacific strategy more constructive and consistent to help maintain peace and security in the region?
Indo-Pacific is vital for Europe. This is one of our largest export destinations. Beyond trade, we have a shared participation in security and in the maintenance of international order based on rules. It is at the heart of Europe’s commitment with Indo-Pacific. Europe is committed to being a reliable partner.
We deepen cooperation with countries sharing the same ideas in the region to promote a free, open and secure Indo -Pacific – through diplomacy, economic resilience and security commitment.
5. How can the EU work to guarantee that the full potential of the IMEEC initiative is made?
The India India – Middle East -Europe economic corridor will connect our regions like never before, increasing trade, improving access to property, energy and data, and taking our economic ties to the next level.
This is a concrete example of EU’s deep commitment to critical infrastructure worldwide, supported by our global gateway strategy of 300 billion euros for sustainable investment and connectivity. Now we focus on delivery. We will continue to work with Imec Signatories to transform this ambitious project into reality.
6. What do you do with the fact that President Trump threatens to release a trade war even against allies and partners like the EU and India?
There are no winners in a trade war. The hardest are inevitably workers, businesses and middle classes on both sides. Of course, Europe remains open to dialogue and a mutually beneficial agreement. But indeed, unjustified prices will not remain unanswered. We will protect our workers, companies and consumers at each turn.
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