The European Commission and the High Representative adopted a joint communication on Wednesday describing an “new EU-Indian strategic program”, aimed at deepening, expanding and better coordinating bilateral relations, improving prosperity and security for two parties in order to meet the main global challenges. For the best EU relations in India, this initiative has been announced.
The president of the European Commission, 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-India strategy, we put our relationship to the next level. Advance the trade, investment and mobility of talents. Strengthen our joint economic security. Advance the clean transition and stimulate innovation together, ”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 the security and more close defense cooperation. Closer cooperation on Indo-Pacific, approaching hybrid threats, spatial security and the intensification of Russian war on Ukraine, ghost fleets and sanctions are other areas of development, “added the declaration.
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).
“This new strategy also proposes to deepen technological cooperation, in particular a potential EU-India start-up partnership, and invites India to associate with the Horizon Europe program. He 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.
High representative for foreign affairs and EU security policy, Kaja Kallas, called India “one of the important players in the world and a natural partner for the European Union”.
She said: “India is one of the most important players in the world today and a natural partner for the European Union. There are many areas where our interests, forces and our policies will align. Food our collaboration – which we offer today – will benefit the security and prosperity of citizens and businesses on both sides. There are areas where we will not serve not to be resolving these challenges.
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