NEW DELHI: As she pledged EU’s support for a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen announced that the 27-member bloc will explore a future security and defence partnership with India – similar to what it has with Japan and South Korea. She identified trade, technology and connectivity as other areas for taking India-EU ties to the next level, saying the relationship can become one of the defining partnerships of the century.
Without specifically talking about US President Donald Trump or his trigger-happy treatment of allies, she also said both India and the EU stood to lose from a world of spheres of influence and isolationism, and gained from a world of cooperation and working together. “Because we can offer each other distinctive alternatives and tools to make ourselves stronger, more secure and more sovereign in today’s world. The kind of offer that cannot really be replicated by others,” she said.
On a new security and defence partnership with India, von der Leyen said this would help both sides step up work to counter common threats whether on cross-border terrorism, maritime security threats, cyber attacks or the new phenomenon: attacks on critical infrastructure.
“There is a lot that we can build on. For instance, the recent collaboration on maritime security. And I am delighted at India’s interest in joining defence industrial projects under the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation. India is working hard to diversify its military supply and to access new capabilities. And I believe we can help each other to deliver on our security objectives,” she said.
Talking about the geopolitical and geoeconomic headwinds that both EU and India are confronted with, von der Leyen said the world had reached another inflection point. She said this was not a time to place limits on India-EU cooperation. “Or to get stuck looking for agreement on every issue of regional or global concern. It is time to be pragmatic and ambitious. And to realign our priorities for today’s realities,” she said.
Describing IMEEC as a potential modern golden road, von der Leyen said it could make trade between India and Europe 40% faster. “It is a green and digital bridge across continents and civilisations. This can be a win-win-win for Europe, India and our partners. We are ready to invest in concrete projects that can already start making these connections happen,” she said.
“Make in India and ‘made in Europe’ can work together to drive our industries forward. And our common interests in de-risking our economies, in particular in sensitive technological areas, can help drive our economic security,” she added.
