New Period For India-Europe Ties? EU Chief Ursula Von Der Leyen Meets S Jaishankar In Delhi – 10 Factors
New Delhi: President of the European Fee, Ursula von der Leyen convened with Exterior Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Thursday, in a bid to reenergize India-Europe relations amid an ‘period of conflicts and competitors.’ Accompanied by 20 members of the European School of Commissioners, the EU chief is right here on a two-day go to.
The event comes when US President Donald Trump has revealed intentions of imposing 25% tariff over items manufactured within the EU. The Republican chief has alleged that the EU was created to ‘screw america.’
Jaishankar praised von der Leyen’s views on deepening India-EU relations. He wrote on X, “The wide-ranging participation of Indian Ministers and EU School of Commissioners throughout this go to stands testimony to the significance we place on deeper India-EU ties.”
Von der Leyen described India as a ‘trusted good friend’ and a ‘strategic ally.’ She posted on X, “In an period of conflicts and intense competitors, you want trusted associates. For Europe, India is such a good friend and a strategic ally.” Von der Leyen posted shortly after being welcomed at Delhi airport by Minister of State Anupriya Patel.
She’s going to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday. They’ll talk about methods to take the India-EU strategic partnership to the following degree.
The go to may also embrace the second ministerial assembly of the India-EU Commerce and Know-how Council. A number of bilateral ministerial conferences are scheduled as nicely.
A senior EU official said that Von der Leyen’s go to goals to form a brand new strategic agenda for India-EU relations. The main focus will probably be on key areas reminiscent of commerce, funding, know-how, digitalization, and connectivity.
The European aspect is predicted to boost issues concerning the Russia-Ukraine battle and the enforcement of EU sanctions, notably on commerce involving delicate applied sciences. Nevertheless, an Indian official emphasised that New Delhi has maintained its stance {that a} decision can solely be achieved by dialogue, urging each Russia and Ukraine to return to the negotiating desk.
On Thursday, Leyen visited Rajghat in New Delhi to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi, reflecting on his message of ‘common peace,’ as famous by the Ministry of Exterior Affairs.
That is von der Leyen’s third go to to India. She had earlier visited in April 2022 for an official bilateral journey and in September 2023 for the G20 Leaders’ Summit.
India and the EU have strengthened their diplomatic ties in recent times. Modi and von der Leyen have met commonly at worldwide summits, and this go to marks a brand new step of their engagement.
Nevertheless, in an announcement, the Ministry of Exterior Affairs (MEA) confirmed that this marks the first-ever go to of the EU School of Commissioners to India as a gaggle. It is usually among the many first high-level delegations from the European Fee because the present management assumed workplace in December 2024, following the European parliamentary elections in June 2024.
