The visit of the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen to New Delhi on 24-25 April, came soon after the ‘historic’ visit of UK PM Boris Johnson to India. It will contribute to strengthening the partnership between India and the European Union by deepening bilateral cooperation with a focus on upholding the rules-based global order, supporting economic recovery, fighting climate change and charting the digital transition.
In wide-ranging talks with PM Narendra Modi, the two agreed to establish a joint Trade and Technology Council to tackle key trade, economic and technology challenges, and advance cooperation in these areas. They also agreed to resume negotiations for an EU-India Free Trade Agreement and to start talks on an Investment Protection Agreement and an Agreement on Geographical Indications. The first round of negotiations will take place in June.
Both sides are looking to conclude negotiations on a comprehensive trade and investment agreements before the beginning of electoral cycles in 2024. The European Investment Bank (EIB), which is the lending arm of the EU, intends to double its annual investments in India from the current level of about €500 million in the next two years.
Both India and the European Union are committed to combating climate change and the transition to a more sustainable and green future. Cooperation to reach ambitious decarbonisation targets, with more intense joint efforts on solar energy and green hydrogen in particular were in focus. President von der Leyen visited the headquarters of the International Solar Alliance, one of India's flagship initiatives to fight climate change and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI). She also met with CEOs from Indian and European energy companies.
Speaking at the opening of Raisina Dialogue 2022, she focussed on current developments, including post-Covid-19 pandemic situation, clean energy and digital transitions, China and the Ukraine war and its global impact. Raisina Dialogue is India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and geoeconomics, which has grown over the years as a key global conference on international affairs.
Shortly after this incoming visit, PM Modi began his official visit to Germany, Denmark and France on 02-04 May 2022. In Berlin, he Co-chaired the sixth edition of the biennial India-Germany Inter-Governmental Consultations (IGC) with the German Chancellor, Olof Schulz. Coming soon after India and Germany commemorated 70 years of establishment of diplomatic relations in 2021, the visit provided the opportunity to deepen ties across a number of areas, with the participation of relevant ministers from both sides. Having coordinated and attended the second IGC in Berlin in 2013, which witnessed the signing of the first document to support India’s Green Energy Corridor, it is good to see Germany being the first outgoing destination this year for PM Modi.
Denmark was the second stop on the itinerary of the PM. The official visit at the invitation of the Prime Minister of Denmark provided the opportunity for the 2nd India-Nordic Summit hosted by Denmark. The Green Strategic Partnership agreed upon after a virtual summit between the two prime ministers in September 2020, was the first arrangement of its kind between India and Denmark. It focuses on renewable energy, sustainability and green growth including wind energy and water management. It has a five-year action plan. A review of its progress and ways to further expand cooperation were on the agenda during this visit.
At the 2nd India-Nordic Summit, where interactions are with all the Nordic country leaders, individually and together at the Summit, climate change and renewable energy would figure prominently with other important subjects. The Nordic countries, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, Finland, and host Denmark, are all renowned for their commitment to sustainable development. This summit too will focus on Green Partnership and sustainable development among other areas. I was a part of the delegation of the 1st India-Nordic Summit that took place in 2018 in Stockholm. Apart from the USA, this format of Nordic Summits is only held in India.
The brief stopover in Paris on 04 May 2022, is the perfect opportunity to greet the newly re-elected French President, Emmanuel Macron as India and France celebrate 75 years of diplomatic relations this year. This engagement can only strengthen the existing strategic partnership between India and France while enhancing cooperation on the green and sustainable agenda.
As temperatures soar across India, reaching record-high levels in several places, there are worries about the impact of climate change on life and economic activity in India. The scorching sun that is burning the plains of north India, will have a negative impact on the health of the people, while adversely affecting agriculture. From the European perspective, a move to cleaner sources of energy will help reduce India’s dependence on oil imports including from Russia. For India, which according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is amongst the countries expected to be worst affected by the impacts of the climate crisis, Europe can be an ideal partner in dealing with the challenge of climate change.
