India, EU discuss trade, security links: redrade moneynews

The means to further expand bidirectional cooperation were discussed during a meeting between the Secretary of Foreign Affairs, Vikram Misri and the European Council Political and Security Committee (PSC), which is currently visiting India.

The PSC is made up of EU member states ambassadors based in Brussels and is chaired by the European external action service. He plays a decisive role in the conduct of the EU foreign and current security policy (CFSP) and the common security and defense policy (CSDP).

The PSC delegation of 30 members, during its very first visit to Asia, is directed by Delphine Pronk, president of the committee. The delegation includes 27 envoys from the members of the block.

The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said that discussions have focused on the progress of cooperation in India-EU in various sectors, in particular in the fields of security and defense.

“The two parties reiterated their commitment to an early conclusion from the EU security and defense partnership and information security,” he said.

“They also impatiently awaited the Indian-EU FTA, the leaders who charged the respective negotiation teams to conclude the agreement by the end of the year.”

The members of the PSC also met the Secretary of Defense, RK Singh, received a briefing on the Center-Indian Ocean region of the merger of information (IFC-IOR) and interacted with representatives of the Indian defense industry.

“The visit to the EU PSC is based on the momentum after the historic visit to the college of EU commissioners in India in February and reflects the joint commitment to a deeper strategic partnership,” said the MEA.

He said there are regular exchanges between India and the EU on security and defense issues thanks to the vast architecture of bilateral dialogue, including in the fields of security and defense, maritime security, cyber and the fight against terrorism.

“The two parties also explore the ways for increased cooperation in the defense and manufacturing industry,” the MEA said in a statement.

The visit to the PSC coincides with the 13th cycle of negotiations between India and the EU for the proposed free trade agreement that the two parties seek to finalize by December.