Connectivity cooperation between India and the European Union was reviewed, among other things, at a recent Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in Delhi. The discussion stressed the importance of connecting initiatives that respect sovereignty and territorial integrity.
The EU-India review meeting took place on May 8 in New Delhi, according to a joint press release. Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), led the Indian delegation, while Helena König, Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues, European External Action Service, led the EU delegation.
The meeting went over the whole scope of the India-EU bilateral relationship as outlined in the ‘India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025’ agreement reached during the 15th India-EU Summit in 2020. India and the EU conducted a detailed evaluation of their successful bilateral relationship in the framework of discussions hosted by India as part of its G20 Presidency.
Climate, biodiversity, clean energy, resource efficiency, trade, the circular economy, smart urbanization, education, research and innovation, mobility, and digital issues, including data privacy, were all discussed. Both parties also discussed connectivity cooperation, emphasizing that connectivity initiatives respect sovereignty and territorial integrity. They also reviewed the continuing negotiations for a free trade agreement, an investment protection agreement, and a geographical indications agreement and agreed on their importance, in addition to the need for complete multilateral cooperation and regular bilateral engagement on economic problems.
They also discussed the development and ambition of the newly formed India-EU Trade and Technology Council, as well as their expectations for a successful first ministerial meeting under the TTC mechanism on May 16 in Brussels.
The EU and India discussed the prospects for a more secure, wealthy, and democratic world. They praised the restart of the EU-India Human Rights Dialogue in 2021 and agreed to hold it on a yearly basis. They also emphasized the importance of achieving comprehensive, just, and long-term peace in Ukraine in accordance with the United Nations Charter and international law. Both sides highlighted the importance of a rules-based international order respecting sovereignty, territorial integrity, transparency, and peaceful conflict resolution.
They condemned terrorism and violent extremism in all of their forms and expressions, including cross-border acts, unambiguously. They also pledged to increase their involvement in all areas in order to explore avenues for strengthening cooperation, notably through the Global Gateway, and to consider priorities for the forthcoming India-EU Summit.
