India and European Union have agreed on the need to strengthen the security cooperation particularly on the issue of counter-terrorism. EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Ms. Federica Mogherini today called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New Delhi.
The two leaders discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest. Mr. Modi recalled his successful visit to Brussels in March last year for the India-EU Summit, and said that he is looking forward to the next summit to be held in India in October this year.
Ms. Mogherini also held delegation level talks with External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to deepening their strategic partnership. They reviewed progress on the commitments made during the last India-EU Summit including in the areas of counter-terrorism, migration and mobility, water partnership and climate change action.
External Affairs Minister condemned yesterday’s terror attack in Paris and emphasised that terrorism is the gravest threat to humanity and both India and EU should strengthen their cooperation to fight terrorism.
The EU is one of India’s largest trading partners with bilateral trade in goods reaching 85 billion dollars in 2016. It is also the largest destination for Indian exports and a key source of investment and cutting edge technologies.
India seeks enhanced investments from EU companies in its Clean India, Namami Gange, Skill India, Start-Up India, Smart Cities, renewable energy and next-generation infrastructure flagship programmes. Both sides also discussed ways to take forward the India-EU Broad Based Trade and Investment Agreement.
The European Union High Representative and Vice- President is on a two-day visit to India from today.