External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said that India and the European Union have common interests and shared values, and while there may be some differences on priorities and specifics, what binds the two is a strong sentiment.
Addressing the IIC Bruegel Seminar, he said that both India and the EU are political democracies, pluralistic societies and market economies.
“In a world that promises to be so volatile and so uncertain, a stronger India-EU relationship can be an important stabilizing factor. India is certainly cognizant of the greater strategic awakening in Europe in the last few years. That too can serve as a driver of deeper engagement. We already see that happening, for example, in closer security, defence and technology cooperation. The bottom line is that our India – EU relationship is more important than ever before,” he added.
“So, how do we make this contemporary template work better for both of us? To a great extent, the answer lies in ensuring that the established processes and platforms deliver effectively. In recent years, there has been a more intensive engagement with the European Commission. We expect that to be even more in the coming days, in fact very soon.”
He said the maritime security and defence cooperation with the EU has also increased, collectively or with individual EU members.
“The Indo-Pacific Strategy and Global Gateway are certainly steps in the right direction. On the FTA, I think it is really time we get along with it.
“We established the Trade and Technology Council to deal with controlled technologies and digital transactions. Our interactions extend from disaster resilience and clean technologies to sustainable urbanization and infrastructure development.”
EAM said the European Union is India’s largest economic partner, but beyond resources and technology, it is also valued for its best practices.
Referring to the IMEC – the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, he said the project has admittedly been slowed by the developments in the Middle East from October 2023.
“However, some initial steps have indeed commenced between India and the Gulf. The game-changing nature of this enterprise needs to be appreciated, not just between India and Europe as its two ends. Bear in mind that we in India are simultaneously seeking to build a land connectivity eastwards through South East Asia. Put together, this is actually an Atlantic to Pacific endeavour.”
EAM said that the world is on the cusp of a big change. “Politics is only the tip of the iceberg. Whether it is energy or connectivity, mobility or technology, major shifts await us. After all, we are entering the era of AI and EV, of drones and space, of green hydrogen and SMRs.”
“A deeper India-EU collaboration is clearly in our mutual benefit. It cannot happen by itself. It needs proponents. It needs advocates,” he added.
