In many ways, the EU and India are particularly placed to meet this challenge together, she said.A free trade agreement between India and the European Union (EU) would be the largest agreement in the world in the world and the two parties plan to firm it this year, the president of the European Commission said on Friday, Ursula von der Leyen.
In an address at the Think Tank Council for strategic and defense research based in Delhi, she said that the EU also explored a future security and defense pact with India in accordance with its partnerships with Japan and South Korea. The pact would help both parties 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 on our critical infrastructure,” 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,” said Von Der Leyen. “This world is in charge of danger. But I believe that this modern version of Great Power Contest is an opportunity for Europe and India to reinvent their partnership. ”
In many ways, the EU and India are particularly placed to meet this challenge together, she said.
The president of the European Commission said: “Now is not the time to set limits for our cooperation. Or get stuck in search of an agreement on each issue of regional or global concern. It is time to be pragmatic and ambitious. And realign our priorities for today’s realities. ” She said that cooperation in trade and technology, security and defense and connectivity and global partnership can bring the UE-India partnership to the next level.
Speaking of the proposed trade agreement, she said: “A free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the most important of this type all over the world. I am well aware that it will not be easy. But I also know that the calendar and determination count, and that this partnership comes at the right time for the two 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. ”
On connectivity, Von der Leyen said that the India-Middle East-Europe corridor can be a modern golden road directly connecting India, the Persian Gulf and Europe. “I believe that 2025 is a historic opportunity window to build an indivisible partnership between Europe and India,” she said.
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