European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday welcomed Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s decision to launch the European Union-India Trade and Technology Council, the second such initiative for the 27-member bloc following the first one set up with the United States.
This comes as PM Modi and the European Commission chief held bilateral talks in New Delhi, where they reviewed progress in the India-EU strategic partnership and agreed to deepen cooperation in areas of trade, climate, digital technology and people-to-people ties. Welcoming PM’ Modi’s decision to launch the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, the she said, “The EU has only one Trade and Technology Council in place and that is with the US. I think, therefore, it is time that it is so important for us to put up a second Trade and Technology Council with India. We have India as a technological powerhouse.”
The European Commission chief also noted that 2022 marks the 60th anniversary of the EU-India relationship. “I think this relationship today is more important than ever. We’re vibrant democracies, large economies and have a lot in common but we are also facing a challenging political landscape. So, I appreciate this meet,” she stated.
Notably, the European Commission chief and PM Modi agreed to launch the EU-India Trade and Technology Council at their meeting in New Delhi on Monday. The European Commission, in a press statement, said that this strategic coordination mechanism will allow both partners to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security, and thus deepen cooperation in these fields between the EU and India.
It added that the Trade and Technology Council will provide the political steer and the necessary structure to operationalize political decisions, coordinate technical work, and report to the political level to ensure implementation and follow-up in areas that are important for the sustainable progress of European and Indian economies.
Meanwhile, PM Modi said that the relations between India and European Union (EU) are reaching new heights under the leadership of EU chief Von der Leyen. “I am happy that when our foreign minister came, you organized a good meeting and provided an opportunity for discussions. I believe that under your leadership, India-EU relations are achieving new heights and new areas for cooperation are being created. Our cooperation will further our ties,” he added.
The European Commission President also met External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar on Monday and discussed ways to take India-EU partnership forward and exchanged views on the impact of the Ukraine conflict. “Pleased to call on President of European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Discussed taking forward the India-EU partnership. Also exchanged views on the economic and political implications of the Ukraine conflict,” Jaishankar tweeted. Ursula von der Leyen met Jaishankar shortly after she visited Rajghat on Monday to pay respect to Mahatma Gandhi. “Remembering the Mahatma’s universal message of truth and non-violence. President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen paid respects to Bapu at Rajghat today morning,” the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) tweeted.
Also on Monday, after meeting President Ram Nath Kovind, the European Commissioner President highlighted the immense potential of India-EU partnership and the commonalities of their goals. Taking to Twitter, the European Commission chief wrote, “President Kovind, there is so much potential for a stronger India-EU partnership. In the current geopolitical landscape, in Europe and the Indo-Pacific, democracies have to work together. And we will strive, together, for a climate-neutral, prosperous future!”