India (Commonwealth Union)_ India and the European Union expressed hope for a speedy conclusion of discussions on their trade and investment accords. At the same time, both sides also decided to be more ambitious towards the execution of their connectivity collaboration.
The 9th India-EU Foreign Policy and Security Consultations were co-chaired by Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West) at the Ministry of External Affairs, and Enrique Mora, Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs at the European External Action Service. According to the statement from the Ministry of External Affairs, during the discussion, the two sides expressed delight over the increased intensity and political momentum in the India-EU relationship, which began with the 15th India-EU Summit in July 2020 and was further bolstered by the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021. According to the statement, the two sides shared views on regional and global subjects of common interest and decided to work collaboratively toward the upcoming India-EU Summit.
The Ministry of External Affairs also noted that the discussion reviewed the major bilateral developments between the two blocks, such as the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen when she paid a visit to India in April 2022 as the Chief Guest for the Raisina Dialogue. In line with the resolution made at the Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021, they also lauded the progress made in the discussions about a trade and investment agreement between India and the EU.
The two parties remain optimistic about a swift conclusion of discussions, of which two rounds have already ended. The two parties examined the functioning of various institutional mechanisms between India and the EU, including those pertaining to cyber security, counter-terrorism, maritime security, disarmament, and non-proliferation, and explored the possibility of increased collaboration in the security and defense sectors of the India-EU strategic relationship.
