EU mission tries to lure India away from Russia
The EU and India will work together across the security, trade and energy sectors in the latest move by the West to lure New Delhi away from Russia as tensions rise over Moscow’s Ukraine invasion.
An India-EU trade and technology council was announced by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen yesterday during a visit to New Delhi, where she held talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Ms von der Leyen said the EU would co-operate with India on solar and green hydrogen energy to help it move away from Russian fossil fuels.
“So co-operation on solar and green hydrogen is key,” she said on Twitter.
“Strengthening the partnership is a key priority for this decade. We will step up cooperation in trade, technology and security.”
The trade and technology council with India will provide political direction and the necessary structure to put political decisions into operation and co-ordinate technical work.
Ms Von der Leyen said the EU had one trade and technology council with the US and it was important to set up another with India.
The body will report at the political level to ensure measures are carried out and followed up in areas that are important for the sustainable progress of European and Indian economies, a statement read.
Ms Von der Leyen is the latest dignitary to visit New Delhi in an attempt to lure the nation away from Russia with pledges of security, defence and energy co-operation.
The two leaders exchanged views on strengthening the India-EU strategic partnership and deepening co-operation in trade, technology, climate and security amid the Ukraine war.
New Delhi has been walking a tightrope between Moscow and Kyiv, something that has angered its western allies.
A stream of dignitaries have visited the country, most recently British Prime Minister Boris Johnson who also announced a new defence and security partnership with India.
Talks on a free-trade deal between India and the EU have been stuck since 2013 over issues such as patent protection and tariff reductions, although both sides agreed in May last year to resume talks.