EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen Visits India to Strengthen Strategic Ties
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, visited New Delhi with the EU College of Commissioners, marking the first collective EU diplomatic mission to India. This visit aims to strengthen the longstanding strategic partnership between India and the EU, focusing on collaboration in various sectors. Meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other officials are scheduled, highlighting the importance of trusted alliances amidst global challenges.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, along with the EU College of Commissioners, arrived in New Delhi on Thursday for a two-day visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This marks the first collective visit of the College of Commissioners to India, emphasizing the strengthening of strategic ties between the European Union and India amidst global challenges.
Upon her arrival, President von der Leyen expressed via social media, “In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with Narendra Modi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level.” This is her third visit to India, following her previous trips in April 2022 and September 2023 for key summits.
During her visit, President von der Leyen will engage in talks with Prime Minister Modi, focusing on elevating their multifaceted partnership. The meetings will include a ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, as well as bilateral discussions with European Commissioners and their Indian counterparts. The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized that this collaboration aims to further enhance bilateral relations as both sides enter a new decade of strategic partnership.
As part of her agenda, President von der Leyen will also meet External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar. The EU and India have maintained their strategic partnership since 2004, with ongoing discussions highlighting shared objectives and cooperation across various sectors. This visit seeks to solidify these ties and explore new areas of collaboration between India and the European Union.
The visit of President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners to India signifies a pivotal step in bolstering the strategic partnership between the European Union and India. The discussions scheduled during this visit aim to enhance collaboration across various sectors, reinforcing the importance of trusted alliances in today’s competitive global landscape. This engagement marks a significant move towards deeper bilateral ties as both parties seek to address current global challenges together.
Original Source: www.ndtv.com
