The leaders underlined the position of the India-EU strategic partnership in collectively addressing international points, fostering stability, and selling a rules-based order for mutual prosperity, an Indian readout mentioned.
India and European Union on Thursday pledged to seal their much-awaited free commerce deal by December with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the 27-nation bloc’s high leaders Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen, pledging to selling a rules-based international order, amid Washington’s disruptive commerce insurance policies.
In a joint telephone name with Costa and von der Leyen, Modi reiterated India’s constant assist for peaceable decision of the Ukraine battle and early restoration of peace and stability.
The leaders underlined the position of the India-EU strategic partnership in collectively addressing international points, fostering stability, and selling a rules-based order for mutual prosperity, an Indian readout mentioned. The telephone talks among the many three leaders got here as India appears to blunt the affect of the Trump administration’s 50 per cent tariff on Indian items.
The three leaders additionally mentioned holding the subsequent India-EU summit in India at an early date of mutual comfort and PM Modi invited Costa and von der Leyen for a similar.
The Ukraine battle additionally figured within the dialog with von der Leyen saying in a social media submit that India has an vital position to play in bringing Russia to finish “its battle of aggression and serving to create a path in direction of peace”.
The European Fee president welcomed India’s continued engagement with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. “This battle carries international safety penalties and undermines financial stability. So it’s a danger to your complete world.” The telephone name, largely specializing in India-EU free commerce deal and the summit, got here days earlier than EU commerce commissioner Maros Sefcovic’s deliberate journey to New Delhi amid experiences of either side making important headway in direction of finalising the commerce pact.
India and the EU relaunched the negotiations for the free commerce settlement (FTA) in June 2022 after a niche of over eight years.
“Because the world’s largest democratic forces, India and EU share a robust and shut relationship constructed on belief, shared values, and a standard imaginative and prescient for the long run,” the Indian readout mentioned.
It mentioned Modi, Costa and von der Leyen additionally welcomed progress in bilateral relations in key sectors resembling commerce, expertise, funding, innovation, sustainability, defence, safety and provide chain resilience, and reaffirmed the shared dedication for an early conclusion of the India-EU FTA negotiations and implementation of the IMEEC (India-Center East-Europe Financial Hall).
“Trying forward, we plan to agree on a joint strategic agenda on the subsequent EU-India summit, as early as attainable in 2026. We additionally stay absolutely dedicated to concluding the Free Commerce Settlement negotiations by the top of the 12 months. To attain this, progress is required now,” von der Leyen mentioned.
The Indian readout mentioned the leaders additionally exchanged views on regional and international problems with mutual curiosity, together with the efforts to convey an finish to the battle in Ukraine.
“PM Modi reiterated India’s constant assist for peaceable decision of the battle and early restoration of peace and stability. The leaders agreed to stay in contact,” it mentioned.
The IMEEC initiative was firmed up on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Delhi in 2023. Billed as a pathbreaking initiative, it envisages an unlimited highway, railroad and transport networks amongst Saudi Arabia, India, the US and Europe with an purpose to make sure integration amongst Asia, Center East and West.