India and the European Union will push to finalize a free-trade agreement this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.
In a keynote speech during her two-day visit to New Delhi, von der Leyen said a closer alliance with India would be “a cornerstone of Europe’s policy in the years and decades to come,” built on enhanced cooperation on trade, technology, security and defense.
Von der Leyen is leading the new Commission’s first visit to India, as the EU seeks to keep New Delhi onside amid rising geopolitical tensions with the United States and China.
India and the EU resumed talks on a free trade agreement in 2021 after talks collapsed in 2013. While progress has been slow since then, both sides now appear determined to strengthen ties to counter America’s tariff threats and China’s assertive trade practices.
Commission officials also joined their Indian counterparts for a second Trade and Technology Council on Friday, where they are expected to discuss cooperation on electric vehicle standards, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and telecommunications.
Posted by John3262005
7 Comments
Looks like Europe found a third way to counterbalance
Holy shit. Global trade is back on the menu, boys.
Emmanuel Macron and France also has been really bullish on India recently with more defence deals, nuclear energy cooperation, & etc. ^
France is already ahead of the curve when it comes to relations with India & France. 🇮🇳🇫🇷
!ping IND
https://preview.redd.it/hgk4rcocfyle1.jpeg?width=480&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=d743e148324c9bcd5b1ca769e8c48762806226fa
!ping CONTAINERS&EUROPE
This makes sense given that EFTA also agreed on an FTA with India recently.
Man, how I wish the whole EU would just go full bullish on India. Trade deals, investments, massive diplomatic offensive, everything.
But, alas, that would require our politicians not to be terminally useless.