New Delhi [India]: India and the European Union held high-level discussions on multiple strategic areas, including trade, digital technology, green energy, and connectivity, in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. The leaders have instructed their teams to finalize the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations by the end of the year, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced on Friday.
Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Tanmay Lal highlighted that 20 Union Cabinet ministers and Ministers of State participated in discussions covering key issues such as trade, energy, environment, and digital green technology.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is on a two-day bilateral visit to India, accompanied by members of the European College of Commissioners. This marks her third visit to India, following her bilateral trip in April 2022 and her attendance at the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023.
Calling it an “unprecedented and landmark visit,” the MEA Secretary emphasized its significance as the first time the European College of Commissioners has convened outside Europe.
“This is an unprecedented and landmark visit on many counts. This is the first visit by the college (of Commissioners) in its new mandate and the first which has been outside Europe… This visit signals the high priority that is attached by both sides to the strategic partnership that we both share. A visit to the entire college also highlights the very extensive breadth of our partnership and engagement. President von der Leyen met Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and the two leaders held extensive discussions, including in the delegation-level talks. In addition to these talks, there have been 20 ministerial-level meetings,” MEA Secretary Tanmay Lal said during a press briefing.
The discussions included bilateral meetings as well as deliberations under the three working groups of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC). In addition to trade and FTA negotiations, key topics covered were finance, renewable energy, environment, research and innovation, skilling and education, space, defense, connectivity, sustainable urbanization, water management, fisheries, women’s empowerment, and youth initiatives.
One of the major outcomes of the meetings was the commitment to conclude the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of the year.
“The leaders have directed their teams that the India-EU FTA should be concluded within the year. This is, of course, a very important outcome,” he added.
Progress was also noted in key working groups under the India-EU TTC, including Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity, Clean and Green Technologies, and Trade, Investment, and Resilient Value Chains.
The MEA Secretary also highlighted advancements in the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoUs) on semiconductors, talent exchange, and supply chain resilience.
“Also, there has been MoU between Bharat 6G alliance and EU 6G smart networks, and extensive discussions were held on taking this cooperation forward. There is also deepening collaboration between India AI mission and European AI office,” Lal added.
In the area of clean and green energy, both sides announced joint funding of 60 million euros for research projects on electric vehicles, plastics management, and green hydrogen.
“India-EU Green Hydrogen Forum will be held, and the India-EU Business Summit on offshore wind energy will be organized,” he added.
Earlier in the day, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen underscored the importance of strengthening cooperation between India and the EU in areas such as digital technology, Artificial Intelligence, and defense. She praised India as a “pillar of certainty” for Europe in an “increasingly uncertain world.”
She also commended Prime Minister Modi’s recent address at the Paris AI Summit, emphasizing that Europe and India are working together to shape AI as a “driver of positive change” for their economies and societies. The EU chief expressed confidence that India’s upcoming AI Summit would be a great success.