India-EU ties at ‘new level’: Partnership is limitless and ambitious, says EU envoy Herve Delphin – The Times of India

European Union Ambassador Herve Delphin on Friday mentioned the India-EU partnership has reached a “completely new stage” in each strategic and qualitative phrases, describing the connection as “limitless, bold and progressive”, PTI reported. Addressing the Europe Day celebrations within the nationwide capital, Delphin mentioned the India-EU partnership is turning into more and more vital for the twenty first century, with either side dedicated to increasing ties throughout a number of sectors. “We’ve positioned our relationship to a very new stage, in qualitative and strategic phrases. The EU-India partnership is limitless, bold and progressive,” Delphin mentioned. “These achievements wouldn’t have been potential with out the political conviction and belief shared by our leaders,” he added. The envoy described the India-EU summit held round three-and-a-half months in the past as a serious milestone, saying it mixed symbolism, substance and strategic significance. He cited the disclosing of a joint strategic agenda for the subsequent 5 years, progress on a free commerce settlement (FTA), the signing of a safety and defence partnership pact, and motion on a mobility framework as key outcomes of the summit. “The India-EU partnership is actually consequential for the twenty first century,” Delphin mentioned. Calling the present part the “Europe-India second”, the ambassador mentioned ties between India and the EU and its member states have been deepening “like by no means earlier than”. The occasion was attended by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, diplomats, academicians and overseas coverage specialists. The envoy additionally referred to the participation of European Fee President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa as chief friends at India’s Republic Day celebrations earlier this yr. The proposed India-EU free commerce settlement has usually been described because the “mom of all” commerce offers. “We’re already India’s main buying and selling companion. With the FTA in place, we count on our two-method commerce to double in worth within the subsequent years,” Delphin mentioned. Referring to a current report titled “EU enterprise financial footprint in India”, he mentioned almost 6,000 EU firms function in India, producing shut to 6 million jobs and exporting almost 25 billion euros price of items from India globally. The EU stays India’s largest buying and selling companion in items. Throughout 2024-25, bilateral items commerce stood at round $136 billion, together with Indian exports price about $76 billion and imports price $60 billion. Delphin additionally spoke concerning the Russia-Ukraine battle and mentioned Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s “not an period of warfare” message strongly resonated with Europe. “This message of (PM Modi) — ‘not an period of warfare’ deeply resonates with Europe’s values and identification,” he mentioned. “The EU is basically a peace undertaking, turning the again on centuries of continental wars,” he added.