Brussels: India and the European Union seek to strengthen ties in the field of defense and security this year, a series of proposals being on anvil. The proposals include a new strategic dialogue on questions related abroad and the elevation of security and defense partnerships at the level of the Secretary of Defense.
Earlier this month, in Davos, the president of the EU Ursula von der Leyen commission announced that her first visit would be in India, clearly indicating that Indian-EU links would be done more quickly this year. She said: “The first trip of my new commission will be to India. Together, with Prime Minister Modi, we want to upgrade strategic partnership with the largest country and democracy in the world. ” The Indian Minister of Commerce, Piyush Goyal, has already visited Brussels for FTA discussions in India-EU.
In terms of naval cooperation, the European Union wishes to place a liaison officer at the information merger center – the Indian Ocean region in Gurugram.
The Indian Ocean Information Fusion Center – The Indian Ocean Region (IFC -OIO) is the eye of India in the Indian Ocean, from the Malacca Strait to the Gulf of Aden and improves maritime security by cooperation with regional partners.
Before the planned summit of India-EU this year, sources of the European Union said: “We are optimistic to develop relations with India.” The 15th India-UE summit took place in 2020, with leaders approving the strategic partnership of India-EU and a common roadmap on a joint action plan. Of the more than 100 agreed action plans, 80% were delivered.
The two parties, for the first time, envisage the India-UEland Security conversation with the major tickets expected this year. As part of counter-terrorist cooperation, the EU organized a workshop on the use of commercial drones for terrorist activities to deal with online terrorist threats.
The other areas of cooperation between the two parties are green hydrogen, the EV batteries, while a memorandum of understanding expected on semiconductors, space, water management technology is also underway. The plan also consists in connecting the UPI of India to a proposed European digital portfolio.
Connectivity remains a key pillar of links, in particular the Indian thrust on the India-Middle East-Europe corridor which was launched on the sidelines of the Delhi G20 summit last year. Although conflicts in Western Asia remain a challenge, the sources of the European Union remain optimistic, saying: “This will happen, it is the direction of history. On the European side, we want to do … “
As part of the MEGA Connectivity Project, which links two major markets, India and the EU will also examine more submarine cable connections.
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