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India Today
18-07-2025
- Business
- India Today
EU-India ties seen as safe investment amid weaponisation of trade, tech: EU envoy
The European Union-India relationship is on a firm upward trajectory and has emerged as a "safe investment" at a time when global dynamics around trade, technology, migration, and information are increasingly being "weaponised," EU Ambassador to India Herve Delphin said on at an event hosted by the Ananta Centre, Delphin described the recent visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the EU College of Commissioners to India as a "historic" and symbolic show of "confidence and trust" in the EU-India free trade agreement (FTA), which both sides aim to conclude by the end of 2025, could serve as a 'turbocharger' for economic cooperation, the envoy said. While acknowledging the complexities involved, Delphin stated, "There is a clear statement on both sides that not a single issue will block the whole lot. We will go ahead," He emphasised that both the EU and India are committed to a rules-based global order and share growing intersections of economic, political, and security interests. 'This partnership has grown organically,' he said, 'and when you see how trade, technology, migration, and energy are being weaponised, we represent for each other a safe investment.'Delphin also framed the EU as a 'collective force' navigating a turbulent global environment. He noted that major powers like Russia, China, and the U.S. pay close attention to the EU, often critically, which, he said, 'probably means that we matter.'Describing the EU's evolving posture, Delphin referred to what he called the "rearmament" of the bloc—military, economic, and societal. 'We have fundamentally changed our DNA,' he said. 'We remain an open and democratic society, but we don't want that openness turned into a vulnerability.'Referring to recent geopolitical events including Brexit and shifting US-EU relations under former President Trump, Delphin said the EU has managed to navigate a "series of crises" and is now 'readying itself for the new normal.'On the global stage, he noted that the EU and India are increasingly acting as 'bridgeheads' for broad coalitions, advocating democratic values, human-centric development, and resilience in the face of coercive tactics.'We both reject wars of aggression, global terrorism, and economic coercion,' Delphin said. 'As large democracies, we attach central importance to human values.'He also cited von der Leyen's words during her India visit, calling the EU-India relationship a 'consequential partnership' not only for both parties but for the wider world. 'We both stand to benefit,' Delphin said, 'and perhaps this is the time to truly deliver.'- Ends(With inputs from PTI)Must Watch
India Gazette
03-06-2025
- Business
- India Gazette
"Let's make defence sector a role model for other sectors": French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin on India-France bilateral ties
By Shailesh Yadav Paris [France], June 3, (ANI): France and India should make the 'major success' of the defence sector in bilateral ties a 'role model' for other sectors, French Foreign Trade Minister Laurent Saint-Martin said after the high-level discussions with Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal. Goyal commenced his three-day official visit to France on Sunday. This visit is part of his ongoing visit to France and Italy from June 1 to 5. During his engagements in France, Goyal held bilateral meetings with key French Ministers, including Laurent Saint-Martin and Minister of Economy Eric Lombard. These discussions are focused on strengthening the Indo-French economic partnership and exploring new avenues for enhancing trade and investment cooperation. 'The defence sector is one of the major success stories in India-France bilateral ties. Let's make this defence sector a role model, an example for other sectors,' Saint-Martin told reporters after the bilateral meeting in Paris. The French minister expressed optimism about the stalled European Union-India free trade agreement, suggesting a breakthrough could come in weeks or months, as 'we believe in freer trade, and not in trade wars.' 'I am pretty optimistic that we can have an agreement in the coming weeks or months, because we have to showcase the world that we believe in trade, in freer trade, and not in trade wars,' he told reporters. Saint-Martin emphasised that demonstrating commitment to multilateral trade cooperation carries special significance amid current global tensions. 'It means a lot for us, because we are living in very troubled times in terms of global trade,' he said, adding that both India and France must strengthen their economic and cultural ties. The minister highlighted India's importance in European trade strategy, noting strong backing from Brussels. 'India is one of our priorities and I know that the European Commission really wants to fast-track the talks for the pact,' Saint-Martin said. France seeks to reduce both tariff and non-tariff barriers while addressing sensitive sectors. 'We have to take care of, for example, our agriculture, and some norms that we have in terms of environment and sanitary standards,' he explained. 'A deal at the end is a consensus - both sides have to understand each other's concerns and sensitivities.' Saint-Martin acknowledged that Europe-India trade relations remain below their potential, calling for increased exports, investments, and joint ventures between the regions. The 27-nation European Union represents one of India's largest trading partners, yet both sides see room for significant expansion. 'The FTA is a way of facilitating trade. This is why we need to lower barriers, but on the other hand, you have to protect sometimes some sectors, and I'm talking about agriculture,' he said, outlining the delicate balance required in negotiations. The minister's comments come as global supply chains face disruption and countries seek to diversify trade partnerships beyond traditional routes. The France-India defence cooperation, which includes joint manufacturing and technology transfer agreements, serves as a successful model for deeper economic integration across multiple sectors. (ANI)
