The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said that the European Union explored a future security and defense partnership with India, similar to the partnerships that the block shares with Japan and South Korea.
In her speech here today, she said that the partnership will help the EU and India to work together to counter common threats such as cross -border terrorism, cyber attacks, maritime security threats and attacks on critical infrastructure.
The president of the Europan committee also said that they were “ready to invest in concrete projects that can already start to establish these links. Europe is open to business and we are ready to invest in our common future with India. »»
“The second major area for renewed cooperation is security and stability. Here again, we have many common interests. Wars, conflicts and kicks broke out in Europe, the Middle East and Asia, Africa and different regions. And what is happening in a part of the world is important for Europe and India. Even if we sit far on the map. Because peace, security and prosperity are indivisible in this world. In Europe, Russia’s goal is to tear Ukraine. And we have to be clear about what is at stake here. A failed Ukraine would not only weaken Europe. And that is why we have taken historical measures to support Ukraine and its future. But a failed Ukraine would also intensify challenges in other parts of the world, “she said.
Von der Leyen expressed his joy at the interest of India to join industrial defense projects under the permanent structured cooperation of the EU. Noting that India is working hard to diversify its military supply and it considers that the EU and India can help to diversify the security objectives.
She pronounced the address entitled “The consecutive partnership: reinventing and realizing the links of the EU and India for the world of today” in a first group of reflection in the national capital.
She said: “Europe is ready to assume its responsibility for security and defense. We will intensify our defense expenses to ensure that Member States have access to all the capacities that this new reality requires. But we also want to intensify cooperation with crucial partners such as India. This is why I can announce that we are exploring a future security and defense partnership with India in the partnership mold that we have with Japan and South Korea. »»
“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 on. 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. India is working hard to diversify its military supply and to access new capacities. And I believe that we can help each other achieve our security objectives, “said the president of the European Commission.
She highlighted the need to deepen security ties and global partnerships. She said India had been a leading voice to raise the concerns of many nations in the world. She said India can play a unique role as a bridge between the world of world and the rest of the world.
Stressing the need to deepen the connectivity between India and the EU, Von der Leyen said: “The third and last element that I will approach is the need to deepen our connectivity ties and our global partnerships. And here there are a lot that Europe can learn from India. India was a leading voice by highlighting the concerns of many countries in the world. The resolution of these problems becomes all the more important in a world where the great powers move away or even shoot on the seams of the international system. And I believe that India and Europe have a real opportunity to intensify. »»
“Invest in each other and invest in our global partnerships. This is in our heart of economic and national security. India can play a unique role as a bridge between the world of world and the rest of the world. Between Indo-Pacific and Europe. And Europe is ready to invest to help give life to this. Thanks to Global Gateway, our world infrastructure offer of 300 billion euros, we can invest in projects to transport energy through India and between India and the world. And this is only the beginning of what can be done to build this connectivity between India, Europe and the regions between us, ”she added.
She also talked about the Economic Corridor in Europe in the Middle East in India (IMEC), which was launched in New Delhi in 2023 during the G20 Indian presidency. She said that this corridor is much more than a “just a railroad or a cable” and stressed that it is a green and digital bridge through continents and civilizations.
Von Der Leyen said: “The India-Dedle East-Europe corridor was launched here in New Delhi in 2023 during the G20 Indian Presidency is a historic opportunity to give life to this. It is an incredible project. This can be a modern golden route – directly connecting India, the Persian Gulf and Europe. With a rail link, this will make trade between India and Europe 40% faster. With an electric cable and a clean hydrogen pipeline. And a high speed data cable to link some of the world’s most innovative digital ecosystems. »»
“This corridor is much more than a simple railroad or a cable. It is a green and digital bridge through continents and civilizations. And this can bring us closer and stimulate the trade of everything, from the batteries to the cleaning of hydrogen and digital services. This can be a winner for Europe, India and our partners. We are ready to invest in concrete projects that can already start to establish these connections. Europe is open to business and we are ready to invest in our common future with India, ”she said.
In an article on X, von der Leyen said: “We have a historic opportunity to give life to the corridor of India-Middle East-Europe. He will connect us like never before. Investing in each other is in our fundamental economic and national interest. Let’s make it happen.
The president of the European Commission is on a two -day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of the college of European commissioners. The Minister of State of the Union for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel received Ursula von der Leyen at the airport.
Upon his arrival in Delhi, Von der Leyen posted on X: “Touchdown in Delhi with my team of commissioners. At a time of conflicts and intense competition, you need friends of confidence. For Europe, India is a friend and a strategic ally. I will discuss with @narendramodi how to get our strategic partnership to the next level. »»
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