Amid concerns in India over the EU-China trade deal, German Chancellor Angela Merkel spoke to India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi and discussed the imperative of expediting India-EU free trade agreement which the two sides have been negotiating for nearly two decades. In the telephonic converstion with PM Modi on January 6, Ms Merkel conveyed that she has initiated a proposal on India-EU trade pact after conclusion of the EU-China Comprehensive Agreement on Investment (CAI). The long-negotiated India-EU trade deal figured in discussions in the larger conversation on India-EU relations.
To mark 70 years of diplomatic relations, the leaders of India and Germany held a video-conference and discussed issues of mutual importance, including COVID-19 pandemic and particularly India-EU relations. Mr Modi briefed Chancellor Merkel on the developments in India with regard to vaccine and India’s commitment to deploy its capacities for the benefit of the world. He conveyed his best wishes for early containment of the new wave of infections in Germany and other European countries, said a statement by Ministry of External Affairs.
Mr Modi appreciated the long-standing role of Chancellor Merkel in providing stable and strong leadership at the European and global stage, and thanked her for guiding the growth of the India-Germany Strategic Partnership, added MEA.He also welcomed Germany’s decision to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA), and expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation with Germany under the platform of Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
India to work closely with the EU
Both the EU and India have agreed to deepen cooperation in areas like climate change, maritime security, digital economy, connectivity, research and innovation, water and climate action, and civil nuclear cooperation. The last few months have seen increased engagement between India and European leadership. 2020 saw virtual summits of Indian PM with EU’s leadership and his counterparts from Denmark, Luxemburg, Italy. This year will see the India EU summit, likely in May in Portugal.France, Germany, the United Kingdom, and Russia remain India’s four most important European partners. The two leaders decided to hold the sixth Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) at an early date in 2021 before Chancellor Merkel steps down from the top position later this year.
(Palak Chhabra contributed inputs for this article)
Author Profile
- India Writes Network (www.indiawrites.org) is an emerging think tank and a media-publishing company focused on international affairs & the India Story. Centre for Global India Insights is the research arm of India Writes Network. To subscribe to India and the World, write to editor@indiawrites.org. A venture of TGII Media Private Limited, a leading media, publishing and consultancy company, IWN has carved a niche for balanced and exhaustive reporting and analysis of international affairs. Eminent personalities, politicians, diplomats, authors, strategy gurus and news-makers have contributed to India Writes Network, as also “India and the World,” a magazine focused on global affairs.
Latest entries
In ConversationJuly 26, 2024India-Italy defence collaboration can extend to third countries: Anil Wadhwa- In ConversationJuly 23, 2024Italy views India as a key partner in Indo-Pacific: Vani Rao
- DiplomacyJune 29, 2024First BRICS unveils a roadmap for boosting tourism among emerging economies
- India and the WorldJune 11, 2024On Day 1, Jaishankar focuses on resolving standoff with China
