Relations with India hold great importance for EU: Envoy Hervé Delfin

Hailing mutual ties, EU envoy Hervé Delfin said India was a country that “has acquired tremendous importance for the EU” and the partnership “will deepen further.”

Speaking at an event on Europe Day celebrations here on Thursday, EU Ambassador to India Delphine said, “In this turbulent environment, there is one country and one relationship that has gained tremendous importance for the EU, and that is India “

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar was the chief guest at the event organized on the occasion of Europe Day, held every year on May 9 to celebrate peace and unity in Europe.

He said that in Europe, he has “realized the strategic relevance and importance of building stronger ties with India.”

“In Europe, we have realized the strategic relevance and importance of building stronger ties with India, both for ourselves and for the rest of the world. Our partnership has grown stronger, and we are confident that this partnership will deepen and broaden,” the envoy said.

He said the partnership between India and the EU is not just a matter of government, as he highlighted the role of the business community in enhancing the relationship.

He said that “Federation of European Business in India (FEBI) will be a driving force for India-EU relations.”

Highlighting that the EU-India partnership is also about people, Delphin said, “Through my personal life, I have woven the common fabric uniting Europe and India… businesses, workers, “The mobility of students, researchers and tourists will build our partnership.” Strong.”

“The European Union is, at its core, a peace project,” said Delphin; A unique political experiment in the world,” he greeted guests at the event.

“In today’s global reality of tension and change, fueled by the return of war and international challenges, Europe, more than ever, must make its contribution to maintaining peace in the world. We stand behind our common civilization, the rules, principles and values ​​embodied in the UN Charter – an international law. With a belief in the betterment of mankind through people’s empowerment, sustainable development and protection of human rights, and we believe in the strength of democracy,” he said.

“Whenever our interests are in danger, we will defend ourselves,” the envoy said. He said the EU would “support Ukraine in restoring its territorial integrity and sovereignty against Russian aggression.” And “will leave no stone unturned to restore peace in the Middle East…”

In March this year, India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) signed a Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) with four European states – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

EFTA has committed to increase the stock of foreign direct investment in India to US$100 billion over the next 15 years and promote investment to facilitate creation of 1 million direct jobs in India.

Earlier in February, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal had discussed the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union at the special plenary session of the 2nd CII India Europe Business and Sustainability Conclave.

Goyal stressed on the principles of fairness, equity and balance in the FTA talks and India’s aim towards achieving a US$35 trillion economy by 2047.

“We believe that free trade agreements or bilateral agreements should be fair, equitable and balanced. Countries around the world need to recognize that India, as a fast-growing country, is poised to become a US$35 trillion economy by 2047,” Goyal had said.