Next stop New Delhi. On Thursday, the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will begin a two -day visit to India, and she brings with her a considerable party of the college of commissioners of the European Union (EU). More than twenty senior political leaders of the EU member states plan to meet Indian leaders, and Von Der Leyen will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The trip occurs one day after US President Donald Trump said he would impose 25% prices on imports of the EU and India seeks to strengthen its links abroad take up your dependence on China. So, what is each side to win? And what is on the agenda? Below, the Experts of the Atlantic Council answer these questions and other urgent questions.
Why is this trip important to the EU?
Von der Leyen heads to India with almost the entire college of EU commissioners, the first visit of the genre. The role of India as one of the de facto world leaders in the world has cemented its place as an essential partner for the EU. The same goes for the continuous economic rise in China, as well as Trump’s increasingly unpredictable approach to Europe, as shown on Wednesday with its newly announced plan to put a 25% price on EU imports.
Today, the EU and India consider themselves potential sources of stability in an increasingly turbulent geopolitical landscape. India and the EU more than ever need each other, especially on issues such as connectivity, trade, technological progress and security and defense cooperation. This trip could greatly contribute to cement strategic priorities for both parties, that is to say if they can exceed the roadblocks which have so far hampered a deeper cooperation.
–Rachel Rizzo is a non -resident main scholarship holder at the European Atlantic Council Center.
Why is the visit important to India?
This high -level visit of Von der Leyen and most members of the College of Commissioners is a crucial moment for India. The EU is the best trading partner in India and with the economy of India rhythm To become the third in the world by 2030, a deeper commitment to Europe is a necessary strategy.
Although caution concerning American actions under Trump and the push to manage from China can be catalysts for this commitment, there are many reasons for the EU and India to continue a stronger bilateral relationship for itself. Basically, the two have complementary interests, and although the consensus has not always been easy, the two parties have taken awareness seriously.
In just over a year, Modis visited Greece, Italy, France, Austria, Poland and Ukraine. Visits to the last three countries were the first by an Indian Prime Minister. Indian ministers have had other bilateral meetings with European counterparts. Getting involved with the Directorate of the broader European Commission represents a deepening of these interactions with Europe.
During this week’s meetings, India seeks to strengthen its commercial and investment partnership with Europe and develop bilateral technology and defense cooperation with the EU. With an EU-Indian trade agreement in the pipeline For seventeen years, the next few years will be crucial for India to have been taking trade relations with Europe to the next level. In addition, the Economic Corridor of Europe India-East-Europe proposed (IMEC) serves as a construction block for India’s strategy on connectivity with its Western continental partners, while counterbalancing China.
–Srujan Palkar is a world scholarship holder from India to the Atlantic Council.
What is on the agenda?
Modi has made great progress – in particular when India prepared for its group of twenty (G20) the presidency last year – on investments in physical and digital infrastructure, which will help the basics of more collaboration with the EU. Currently, the partners plan to organize a plenary session focused on trade, economic security and the resilience of the supply chain. The second meeting of the EU-India Commerce and Technology Council (TTC) will take place during this trip, with talks likely to focus on clean technologies, digital infrastructure and the compatibility of commercial systems.
At the same time, beyond these official conversations, the two parties should focus on carrying out real regional connectivity projects, such as the IMEC. This could help to take momentum on broader projects that have so far been elusive, such as an EU-Indian free trade agreement. Likewise, the European Defense Commissioner Andrius Kubilius could meet the Minister of Defense of India to speak of the cooperation of defense, maritime security, the fight against terrorism and the role of India in the dialogue of quadrilateral security.
With the Trump administration closing the US Agency for International Development and considerably slowing down US global economic and infrastructure, it is also possible for both parties to talk about how the EU could fill this gap, in particular thanks to its Gateway project.
Although there are many areas of potential progress, there are unfortunately also problems that continue to make the relationship difficult. These include business obstacles, intellectual property rights, regulatory environmental challenges, EU bureaucracy and the human rights situation in India. Hope is that the EU and India can use this visit to better understand the other’s perspectives and priorities and, for their mutual advantage, go beyond the problems that have tormented the relationship so far. If the EU and India can do so, partnership could be a determining element of the global, technological, investment and global security of today.
—Rachel Rizzo
With most of the European commissioners visiting with von der Leyen and sitting for meetings with their counterparts, it is a big step for European autonomy and the improvement of the relationship between the world two biggest democraciesAs the EU refers to India and the block. Basically, India and the EU will want to continue a program to strengthen security and commercial cooperation, to increase the sharing of talents, to refresh the roadmap of the EU-India Strategic Partnership and to deepen the collaboration through the EU-India TTC.
In particular, the EU-India TTC, established in 2022, is supposed to promote collaboration in strategic technologies, green energy and resilient supply chains. It includes questions such as artificial intelligence, 6G, semiconductors, cybersecurity and digital governance, while supporting the decarbonization efforts of India thanks to initiatives such as the national mission of Green Steel. The TTC aims to strengthen trade and investment by strengthening the resilience of the supply chain and the economic disorganization. Although many of its initiatives are still in the early stages, the two parties recognize the need for tangible progress in trade, investment and technological cooperation.
In addition to the IMEC, do not be surprised to see ideas on the skilled workers of India to meet the EU work demand. Germany has directed On this subject, but the EU can be an effective intermediary in the federated structure. Although bilateral dialogues with EU countries are important, a coherent EU messaging strategy will be essential for India to be effectively associated with Europe on trade and mobility.
Finally, despite the differences between Brussels and New Delhi on the approach of India to the war in Ukraine, these commitments show that the most rigid allies of Ukraine in the EU choose to work with India rather than isolate it. This should allow the EU and India to communicate more effectively by the differences while strengthening the common causes.
—Srujan Palkar
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Image: Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes the president of the European Union Ursula von der Leyen upon her arrival at the Bharat Mandapam Convention Center for the G20 Summit, in New Delhi, India, Saturday September 9, 2023. Evan Vucci / Pool via Reuters
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