The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen Friday said Europe is ready to take the quantum leap and step-up its cooperation from trade to defence and security with “crucial partners” like India. She also said India and the European Union have agreed to sign the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) signed by “this year.”
“We are looking for stable, reliable partnerships and here Europe and India are at a perfect place. We know we can trust each other and we can do so much more. India is a very important partner and that’s the goal of the visit,” von der Leyen said at an event in New Delhi organised by the European Union.
Addressing the event before her bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi later today she said, “ A free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the largest deal of this kind anywhere in the world. I am well aware it will not be easy. But I also know that timing and determination counts, and that this partnership comes at the right moment for both of us.”
“This is why we have agreed with Prime Minister Modi to push to get it done during this year. And you can count on my full commitment to make sure we can deliver,” she underlined.
On expediting the talks for the long pending FTA, she said, “I believe that we can help each other to reach our goals. Make in India and Made in Europe can work together to drive our industries forward. And our common interests in de-risking our economies, in particular in sensitive technological areas, can help drive our economic security.”
She also pointed out that like India, Europe is also seeking to diversify some of the most critical value chains.
“From our side this is for example the case on batteries or pharma, semiconductors, clean hydrogen or defence,” she said.
The EC Chief, who’s on a two-day visit to India, also said, “We have all seen how countries are weaponising their sources of strength against each other whether natural resources or new technologies, or economic and military coercion. We have seen how supply chains and dependencies are used to gain influence or drive wedges between nations and regions.”
“This world is fraught with danger. But I believe this modern version of great power competition is an opportunity for Europe and India to reimagine their partnership. In many ways, the EU and India are uniquely placed to respond to this challenge together,” she said.
EU-India Exploring Security and Defence Partnership
According to von der Leyen, that Europe plans to not only step up its defence spending for the member states but it will also aim to “ step up (defence and security) cooperation with crucial partners like India.”
“This is why I can announce that we are exploring a future Security and Defence Partnership with India in the mould of the partnerships we have with Japan and South Korea. This will help us step up our work to counter common threats whether on cross-border terrorism, maritime security threats, cyber-attacks or the new phenomenon we see: attacks on our critical infrastructure,” she underscored while addressing diplomats, academicians, businessmen and media.
“I am delighted at India’s interest in joining defence industrial projects under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation. India is working hard to diversify its military supply and to access new capabilities. And I believe we can help each other to deliver on our security objectives,” she said.
