India, EU determine to launch commerce, expertise council 

By PTI

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Monday agreed to launch an EU-India commerce and expertise council to handle the challenges of guaranteeing trusted expertise and safety within the wake of fast geopolitical adjustments.

The resolution was taken throughout talks between Modi and von der Leyen.

The European Union stated the strategic coordination mechanism will enable each companions to deal with challenges “at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security, and thus deepen cooperation in these fields.”

It stated each side agreed that fast adjustments within the geopolitical surroundings spotlight the necessity for joint in-depth strategic engagement.

“The Trade and Technology Council will provide the political steer and the necessary structure to operationalise political decisions, coordinate technical work, and report to the political level to ensure implementation and follow-up in areas that are important for the sustainable progress of European and Indian economies,” the EU stated in a press release.

The EU stated shared values and customary pursuits of the EU and India provide a powerful foundation to accentuate mutually useful and deeper strategic cooperation.

“The European Union and India are bound by decades of close partnership and are determined to increase joint efforts to tackle current challenges and address geopolitical circumstances,” it stated.

“The decision to set up a Trade and Technology Council will be the first for India with any of its partners and second for the European Union following the first one it has set up with the US,” the EU stated.

It stated establishing the EU-India council is a key step towards a strengthened strategic partnership for the good thing about all peoples within the EU and India.

The European Commission President started a two-day go to to India on Sunday within the backdrop of the Russia-Ukraine battle.

At an occasion on Sunday, von der Leyen stated Russia’s warfare in Ukraine was a stark reminder that the dependency on Russian fossil fuels just isn’t sustainable, and pitched for deeper cooperation between India and the EU to increase using clear vitality.

In her tackle on the International Solar Alliance (ISA), she additionally talked in regards to the want for sustainable methods of doing enterprise utilizing clear vitality and in addition emphasised the necessity for switching to “home-grown clean energies” within the wake of the Russian aggression towards Ukraine.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar referred to as on von der Leyen earlier than her talks with Modi.

“Pleased to name on President of @EU_Commission @vonderleyen.

Discussed taking ahead the #IndiaEU partnership.

Also exchanged views on the financial and political implications of the Ukraine battle,” Jaishankar tweeted.

Pleased to name on President of @EU_Commission @vonderleyen.

Discussed taking ahead the #IndiaEU partnership. Also exchanged views on the financial and political implications of the Ukraine battle. pic.twitter.com/tjN9CMnB5K

— Dr. S. Jaishankar (@DrSJaishankar) April 25, 2022