New Delhi, Feb 28: The delegations from India and the European Union, led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EU President Ursula von der Leyen, held talks on a wide range of topics. The leaders have instructed their teams to finalize the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations by the end of this year, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Friday.
MEA Secretary (West) Tanmay Lal noted that 20 Indian Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State participated in discussions covering various areas, including trade, digital green technologies, energy, environment, and connectivity.
Ursula von der Leyen, who is currently on a two-day bilateral visit to India accompanied by members of the European College of Commissioners, is making her third visit to the country. She previously visited India for a bilateral visit in April 2022 and for the G20 Leaders’ Summit in September 2023.
The MEA Secretary described the visit as "unprecedented and landmark," marking the first trip by the European College of Commissioners outside Europe. He emphasized that the visit underscores the high priority both sides place on their strategic partnership and highlights the wide scope of collaboration between India and the EU. President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Modi engaged in extensive discussions, including delegation-level talks, and there were 20 ministerial-level meetings during the visit.
The meetings included discussions within the framework of the bilateral cluster and the three working groups of the Trade and Technology Council (TTC). The topics covered during these engagements ranged from trade and the FTA to digital green technologies, supply chains, finance, renewable energy, environment, research and innovation, education and skilling, space, defense, connectivity, mobility, sustainable urbanization, water, fisheries, women empowerment, and youth.
One of the major outcomes was a commitment to conclude the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025. "The leaders have directed their teams to finalize the FTA within this year, which is a significant development," the MEA Secretary noted.
He also highlighted progress in several working groups, including strategic technologies, digital governance and connectivity, clean and green technologies, and trade, investment, and resilient value chains.
There was also notable progress in the implementation of Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) on semiconductors and enhancing supply chains to promote talent exchange and skills development. Additionally, an MoU was signed between the Bharat 6G alliance and the EU 6G smart networks, with discussions on advancing this cooperation. Collaboration between the Indian AI mission and the European AI office was also deepened.
On clean and green energy, the two sides announced joint funding of 60 million euros for research projects focusing on electric vehicles, plastics, energy, and green hydrogen.
(With agency inputs)
