EU Unveils 'New Strategic Agenda' To Expand Ties With India
The European Union (EU) on Wednesday unveiled a new strategic agenda to significantly ramp up its engagement with India in a range of key areas such as defence, trade and energy, and to jointly tackle major global challenges.
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU President Ursula von der Leyen. (File)
New Delhi:
On Wednesday, the European Union (EU) introduced a new strategic agenda aimed at substantially enhancing its collaboration with India across critical domains including defence, trade, and energy, while jointly addressing major global challenges.
The EU emphasized that a stronger partnership with India is becoming increasingly essential amid changing geopolitical dynamics, making it prudent for both parties to bolster economic growth and security cooperation.
The 'New Strategic EU-India Agenda' represents a pivotal development in bilateral relations, seeking to "deepen, broaden, and better coordinate" cooperation, enhance mutual prosperity and security, and collaborate on addressing significant global issues.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen stated: "It's time to focus on reliable partners and strengthen partnerships based on shared interests and common values." "With our new EU-India strategy, we are elevating our relationship to the next level," she added.
The senior EU official explained that the new agenda will promote trade, investment, and talent mobility, strengthen joint economic security, and deepen industrial cooperation in defence.
"Europe is already India's largest trading partner, and we are committed to finalizing our Free Trade Agreement by year-end. Europe is open for business and ready to invest in our shared future with India," she remarked following the document's release.
The strategic agenda requires ratification by all 27 EU member states. After completion of the ratification process, it will be formally adopted at the India-EU summit expected in the first quarter of next year.
The agenda identifies five key areas of mutual interest: security and defence, connectivity and global issues, prosperity, sustainability, technology, and innovation.
"Beyond bilateral engagement, the new strategic agenda highlights EU-India joint cooperation on global issues and with third partners, reflecting India's growing global influence," the EU noted.
Under the defence pillar, the document specified maritime security, cyber defence, and counterterrorism as areas for expanded cooperation.
It mentioned that initiating negotiations for a security of information agreement to facilitate classified information exchange will support closer security and defence collaboration.
Additional focus areas include enhanced cooperation on Indo-Pacific matters, addressing hybrid threats, space security, and intensified engagement regarding Russia's war against Ukraine and sanctions.
The strategic agenda, however, did not elaborate further on its reference to sanctions.
The document also emphasized strengthening regional connectivity initiatives, particularly the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), while advancing the Global Gateway and EU-India trilateral cooperation with and in third countries.