On the occasion of Europe Day, celebrated on May 9 annually, the Ambassador of the European Union to India, Herve Delphin, underscored the burgeoning significance of the relationship between India and the EU. Delphin praised the mutual ties between the two entities, labeling India as a country of “tremendous importance” for the EU. He expressed confidence in the deepening and widening of the partnership in the future.
Speaking at the Europe Day event, attended by External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar as the chief guest, Delphin emphasized the strategic relevance of strengthening ties between Europe and India. He acknowledged the pivotal role played not only by governments but also by the business community in enhancing bilateral relations. Delphin highlighted the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI) as a key driver for fostering India-EU relations.
The envoy stressed that the partnership extends beyond governmental affairs, emphasizing the importance of people-to-people connections. He emphasized the role of mobility in strengthening the partnership, citing the movement of businesses, workers, students, researchers, and tourists as integral to bolstering ties between Europe and India.
Delphin underscored the EU’s commitment to peace and the rule of law, asserting Europe’s responsibility in contributing to global peace and stability. He reaffirmed the EU’s support for Ukraine in restoring territorial integrity and sovereignty in the face of Russian aggression, and pledged efforts to restore peace in the Middle East.
Earlier this year, India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) inked a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) involving Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. Under this agreement, EFTA has committed to promoting investments to boost foreign direct investment in India by USD 100 billion over the next 15 years and to facilitate the creation of 1 million direct jobs in India.
In February, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, discussed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union during a Special Plenary Session of the second CII India Europe Business and Sustainability Conclave. Goyal stressed the principles of fairness, equity, and balance in FTA negotiations, reaffirming India’s ambitions to achieve a USD 35 trillion economy by 2047.
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