Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, has urged India and the EU to strengthen their partnership and finalize a free trade agreement this year. She proposed a new security and defense collaboration to address common threats, emphasizing the importance of cooperation amidst geopolitical challenges and the need to diversify supply chains.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasized the need for a revitalized partnership between India and the European Union (EU) amidst rising global power competition. During her visit to India, she urged for the finalization of a free trade agreement (FTA) within the year, marking it as an opportunity for both entities to strengthen ties. This initiative comes in light of geopolitical challenges and the threat of tariffs from the United States on EU goods.
Von der Leyen announced the exploration of a security and defense partnership with India to tackle mutual threats, including terrorism and maritime security risks. Highlighting the importance of collaboration, she stated that both regions are positioned to respond effectively to global challenges. She characterized 2025 as a pivotal year for both the EU and India, as they navigate complex geopolitical landscapes.
In her remarks, von der Leyen acknowledged that the ongoing FTA negotiations, which resumed in 2022 after a seven-year hiatus, involve complicated issues such as tariffs and market access, particularly for EU agricultural products. She affirmed her commitment to advancing these negotiations, which she described as potentially the largest trade deal globally.
The proposed partnership with India on security and defense is intended to emulate existing EU collaborations with Japan and South Korea. Von der Leyen pointed to recent cooperation on maritime security as a foundation for this relationship, aimed at combating common threats, including technological vulnerabilities and attacks on critical infrastructure.
Touching upon the geopolitical tensions with global powers, von der Leyen did not specifically mention the threats posed by the United States or China, yet these themes underpinned her speech. She called attention to the dangers of countries manipulating their resources and technologies against one another while stressing the EU’s need to diversify its supply chains and reduce dependencies.
Moreover, von der Leyen addressed the ongoing crisis in Ukraine, underscoring that stability and prosperity are interconnected, regardless of the geographical distances involved. She argued that a failure in Ukraine would not only destabilize Europe but also exacerbate global challenges.
In summary, President Ursula von der Leyen has called for a reimagined partnership between India and the EU, focusing on finalizing a significant free trade agreement and increasing security cooperation. Amid complex global dynamics, this collaboration aims to address mutual challenges while fostering economic ties. With an eye toward a pivotal future, both parties appear committed to enhancing their strategic partnership.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
