New Delhi: the head of the European Union Ursula von der Leyen exercised his warm wishes to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday at his 75th anniversary for a one -day telephone call that the European Commission and the High Representative also adopted a joint communication describing a “ new strategic bilateral of the EU.
In response, Prime Minister Modi thanked Leyen for his warm wishes and expressed his willingness from India to take his relations with the European Union at the next level. On Wednesday, Prime Minister Modi welcomed the adoption of the new EU strategic program in India. The two leaders expressed their commitment to conclude the negotiations of the Indian-EU (ALE) free trade agreement before the end of the year.
“Always a pleasure to speak to President Ursula von der Leyen. Thank you for your warm birthday greetings. Delighted to know the” new EU strategic agenda in India “today. India is ready to take the India-UE relationship at the next level. This is our shared commitment, the shared objective and shared responsibility. We remain engaged in an early and peaceful resolution of the Ukrainian conflict,” said PM Modi on X.
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During the phone call, PM Modi and Ursula von der Leyen exchanged views of regional and global issues of mutual interest. “India remains engaged for an early and peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine. Prime Minister Modi has reiterated his invitation for the next India-EU summit to be held in India next year,” read a statement published by the Prime Minister’s office (PMO).
Ursula von der Leyen announced the initiative in political directives 2024-2029. She said that the EU with its new strategy was taking its relationship with India to make the trade, investment and mobility of talents while deepening industrial cooperation in the defense sector at the same time.
“It is now time to focus on reliable partners and double the partnerships anchored in shared interests and guided by common values. With our new EU-Indian strategy, we make our relationship at the higher level. Advocation of trade, investment and mobility of talents. Strengthen our joint economic security. To advance the own transition and conduct together of innovation,” said Leyen.
“Deepening our industrial cooperation in defense. Europe is already the largest trading partner in India and we are committed to finalizing our free trade agreement by the end of the year. Europe is open to business. And we are ready to invest in our common future with India,” she added.
Joint communication describes the strategic vision of the EU to improve cooperation with India and identifies five areas of common interest and complementary forces, based on existing links while addressing areas that have increased potential. In the midst of changing geopolitical realities, the closer relations of the EU-India are increasingly vital to strengthen economic growth and security, and the diversification of supply chains in response to the uncertain global order today, a detailed EU declaration.
“Joint communication advances the EU-India security and defense partnership project.
“The launch of negotiations for an information security agreement to facilitate the exchange of classified information will support a closer security and defense cooperation. Closer cooperation on Indo-Pacific, approach hybrid threats, spatial security and the intensification of Russian war on Ukraine, ghost fleets and sanctions are other areas of development.” statement.
Joint communication also highlights the strengthening of regional connectivity initiatives, such as the East-Europe Economic Corridor of India (IMEC) and advances the global trilateral cooperation of the gateway and the EU in India, with and in third countries. It favors the increase in interaction and strengthening coordination between India and the EU at all levels, including skills mobility with the European Legal Gateway Office Pilot to facilitate the mobility of the workforce. He calls for developing a complete mobility cooperation framework covering study, work and research.
“Joint communication identifies a significant unexploited potential in trade and investment, describing strategies to strengthen trade links, in particular the finalization of current negotiations on a free trade agreement (ALE). It proposes to strengthen supply channels while promoting critical emerging technologies on digital issues, with particular attention to the strengthening of economic security. And technology (TTC), “EU said.
“This new strategy also proposes to deepen technological cooperation, including a potential EU-India start-up partnership, and invites India to associate with the Horizon Europe program. It suggests ambitious initiatives for decarbonization and clean transition, such as the intensification of cooperation on renewable opportunities, the development of green hydrogen capacities and the extent of green finances. Added.