Now is not the time to set limits for cooperation in India-EU: von der Leyen

The president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Deposit. | Photo credit: Reuters

India and the EU plan to seal this year a free trade agreement that would be the largest of its kind in the world, said the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, Friday, February 28, 2025), saying that the two parties must identify strategic links with the “higher level” to effectively navigate geopolitical challenges.

In an opening speech in a reflection group, Ms. Von Der Leyen announced that the European Union explored a future “security and defense partnership” with India in the mold of the pacts it has with Japan and South Korea.

The best European leader has explained how the world is responsible for “danger” and that the modern version of Grand Power competition is an opportunity for Europe and India to “reinvent” their partnership.

His comments occurred in the midst of increasing pressure in the links between the European Union and the United States on trade and prices as well as on the Russian-Ukraine conflict.

“In the past 30 years, we have done a lot together. But in truth, we only scraped the surface of the potential that is there. So it’s not time to set limits for our cooperation, “she said in the” world of India “.

“It is time to be pragmatic and ambitious. And to realign our priorities for today’s realities, “she said before discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Ms. von der Leyen, accompanied by the college of the commissioners of the EU or the high political leaders of the block, began on Thursday a very publicized visit of two days.

The head of the European Commission said that the EU and India have the potential to be one of the decisive partnerships of this century and that New Delhi will be the cornerstone of European foreign policy in the years and decades to come.

“I want this visit to be the start of this new era. Prime Minister Modi and I share the same point of view. It is time to pass our EU-Indian strategic partnership at the next level. For our own security and our prosperity.

“For the common world challenges we face. And for the benefit of our respective regions and our partners around the world, “she said.

The president of the European Commission said that cooperation in trade and technology, security and defense and connectivity and global partnership can bring the EU-India partnership to the next level.

In the free trade agreement, Ms. Von Der Leyen said she had a full commitment to this.

“A free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the biggest agreement in the world. I am well aware that it will not be easy.

“But I also know that timing and determination count, and that this partnership comes at the right time for both of us,” she said.

“This is why we agreed with Prime Minister Modi to push it to do so during this year. And you can count on my full commitment to make sure we can deliver, ”said Ms. Von der Leyen.

The president of the European Commission also reiterated the European position on Ukraine.

A failed Ukraine would also intensify challenges in other parts of the world and in particular in this region, she said.

“Other countries around the world are looking closely, if there is impunity if you invade a neighbor or violate international borders. Or if there are real deterrents, “she said.

In connectivity, the President of the European Commission said that the India-Middle East-Europe corridor can be a modern golden route directly connecting India, the Persian Gulf and Europe.

I believe that 2025 is a historic opportunity to build an indivisible partnership between Europe and India, she said.

In the EU security and defense partnership proposed, Von Der Leyen said that this will help us to intensify “our work to counter common threats, whether on cross -border terrorism, maritime security threats, cyber attacks or the new phenomenon we see: attacks against our critical infrastructure”. There are many things we can build, she said.

“For example, the recent collaboration on maritime security. And I am delighted with the interest of India to join industrial defense projects under the permanent structured cooperation of the EU, “she added.

“India is working hard to diversify its military supply and to access new capacities. And I think we can help each other achieve our security goals, ”added Ms. Von der Leyen.