Third India-EU Strategic Partnership Review resolves to combat Covid-19
- In Reports
- 06:25 PM, Oct 20, 2021
- Myind Staff
According to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), a third India-EU Strategic Partnership Review was held in Brussels on Tuesday where the both sides exchanged views concerning the best ways to join forces in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on economies, societies as well as individuals.
"Following the India-EU Leaders' Meeting of 8th May 2021, which set a clear path for further deepening ties between India and the EU, the meeting allowed for a comprehensive review of the Strategic India-EU Partnership, guided by the India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025," MEA said.
The meeting was co-chaired by Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and Helena Konig, Deputy Secretary-General for Economic and Global Issues, European External Action Service.
The discussions were focused various aspects such as on cooperation in addressing the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and contributing to the success of the upcoming Climate COP26.
Both India and European Union discussed the next steps to operationalise the decision of Indian and EU Leaders to resume negotiations for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement and launch negotiations on a stand-alone investment protection agreement and on a separate agreement on geographical indications.
"They discussed the next steps on the implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership which was agreed at the May 2021 Leaders' Meeting. India and the EU also discussed ways to further cooperate in the areas of research, technology and digital transformation, as well as continued implementation of the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility," the release added.
The next edition of the Dialogue between both sides will be held in 2022.
For European Union, the strategic partnership with India is important because after China and the United States, the third largest trading partner of EU is India. China accounts for 12% whereas US accounts for 11% of trade in 2020 but India accounts for €62.8 billion in goods trade in 2020, or 11.1% of total Indian trade (11.7%).
Image Courtesy: AP
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