19
Oct
India, EU discuss steps to operationalise decision to resume negotiations for trade pact.
India and the European Union on Tuesday discussed steps to operationalise the decision of their leaders to resume negotiations for a trade agreement and also launch talks for a stand-alone investment protection pact.
At a meeting of the third India-EU Strategic Partnership Review in Brussels, the two sides also discussed the launching of negotiations on a separate agreement on geographical indications, the Ministry of External Affairs said in a statement.
India and the EU also exchanged views concerning 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 May 8, 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’, the MEA said.
The discussions focused notably on cooperation in addressing the challenges of climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and contributing to the success of the upcoming Climate COP26, it said.
The two sides also 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 further 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 statement said.
Recalling the successful 9th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue in April 2021, India and the EU looked forward to the next edition of the Dialogue in 2022, the MEA said.
The meeting was co-chaired by Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and Helena König, Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues, European External Action Service.