The European Commission and the High Representative of the Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy adopted a Joint Communication that sets out the EU’s vision for a strategy to strengthen cooperation and the partnership with India.
This Joint Communication replaces the last Commission Communication on India of 2004, recognising that India has emerged as the fastest-growing large economy and has acquired an important geopolitical role. The Communication aims to strengthen the EU-India Strategic Partnership by focusing on sustainable modernisation and on common responses to global and regional issues. It also seeks to reinforce the effectiveness of the EU’s external action and is coherent with the implementation of the Global Strategy.
“India is a key player in our interconnected world”, said High Representative/Vice-President Federica Mogherini. “We want to further reinforce our political, economic and people-to-people ties with India in order to address together global challenges, to promote together economic growth and to expand together business opportunities. The EU and India are committed to seize opportunities to support and promote effective multilateralism and solutions whenever peace and stability are in danger.”
Security through the rules-based global order
As an emerging global power, India plays a key role in the current multipolar world. To maintain the rules-based global order, therefore, it is vital that the EU and India implement effective multilateralism and global economic governance.
The EU and India share common values and promote international peace and stability. The EU will work to engage India to promote common global agendas on human rights and democracy, data protection, gender equality and women’s empowerment and the inclusion of young people. Enhancing humanitarian coordination and developing joint actions on food security and disaster relief, would also bring clear added value.
Prosperity through sustainable modernisation
The EU is a natural partner in supporting India’s sustainable growth. The EU’s expertise and technology in sustainable infrastructure development, transport regulatory frameworks, circular economy, environmental protection and in digitalisation will further support India’s ongoing transition to a resource efficient economy and increase global connectivity. Enterprises will benefit from new business and investment opportunities.
The EU and India can do more jointly to tackle global challenges, such as climate change, environment protection, sustainable development, ocean governance, and work together on the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. The EU will coordinate with India at the multilateral level. We will continue supporting the International Solar Alliance, and cooperate to facilitate the clean energy transition and to implement the Sustainable Development Goals, including through an enhanced cooperation in research and innovation.
A more joined-up and streamlined approach towards India
The EU will seek more coordination between its initiatives and those of its Member States towards India. The EU and its Member States will work together to provide a better understanding of the EU in India. They will also work to make the EU’s public diplomacy more effective.
The EU will promote a strategic use of its funding instruments. Programmes for Indian diplomats and experts’ exchanges and dialogues will be multiplied in order to foster mutual understanding.
Finally, the Joint Communication proposes that the EU considers the possibility to negotiate with India a Strategic Partnership Agreement, in order to update the 1994 EU-India Cooperation Agreement.
Original source: European Commission
Published on 20 November 2018