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PM speaks with European Council President on Afghanistan developments

The two leaders agreed to remain in touch on bilateral and global issues, in particular, the situation in Afghanistan…reports Asian Lite News.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday spoke on phone with President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and discussed the recent developments in Afghanistan and the implications for the region and the world.

According to the Prime Minister’s Office, both leaders unequivocally condemned the horrific terror attack at the Kabul International Airport that resulted in many casualties.

They emphasized the importance of a stable and secure Afghanistan and discussed the potential role India and the EU could play in this context.

The two leaders agreed to remain in touch on bilateral and global issues, in particular, the situation in Afghanistan.

In the meanwhile, Slovenia, which holds the rotating Presidency of Council of the European Union for the period July to December 2021, has planned to host an informal meeting of the EU Foreign Affairs Council on September 3, which will be attended by EU Foreign Ministers.

This format, known as the Gymnich meeting, is a highlight of each Presidency.

Spoke with @eucopresident Charles Michel, President of the European Council, about the evolving situation in Afghanistan. Also reiterated our commitment to further strengthening India-EU relations.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) August 31, 2021

According to persons familiar with the development, a special invitation has been extended to EAM S Jaishankar by the EU Presidency to participate in this informal meeting and interact with the EU Foreign Ministers.

Focus of discussions is likely to be on developments in Afghanistan and the Indo-Pacific (EU’s Indo-Pacific Strategy is expected in September 2021). (India News Network)

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India-EU summit to benefit int’l trade, investment: Modi

PM Narendra Modi of India and the PM Antonio Costa of Portugal, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, called the India-EU summit a moment of profound geopolitical significance.

Ahead of the India-EU virtual summit on Saturday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Portugal PM Antonio Costa said that strengthening the dialogue between the world’s two largest democratic spaces will boost mutual ties and benefit international trade and investment.

In a joint op-ed for Politico, PM Modi and the Prime Minister of Portugal, which currently holds the presidency of the Council of the EU, called the India-EU summit a moment of profound geopolitical significance.

Noting Delhi’s significance at the world stage, the two leaders said, “India’s role as a major regional and global player is set to continue to expand over the coming years, and a strengthened partnership would offer Europe an opportunity to diversify relations in a strategic region of the world.”

The leaders also said that the EU and India have often pledged to expand their ties; however, the two sides could not realize the potential that both the economies hold.

Portugal Prime Minister Antonio Costa (Photo @antoniocostapm/Twitter)

Expressing hope for the upcoming summit, the leaders said, “The Porto EU-India Leaders’ Meeting promises to be a pivotal moment in this regard, giving new momentum to the partnership between the world’s two largest democratic spaces, made up of over 1.8 billion people.”

They added further said that this dialogue will be crucial to rebalance relations between the EU and the Indo-Pacific. “The journey together between the EU and India will be continued and advanced as of tomorrow in search of new routes of political, economic and technological cooperation, with enormous potential for mutual benefits,” PM Modi and PM Costa added.

India and the European Union are likely to resume negotiations on a free trade agreement during the upcoming summit between New Delhi and the 27-nation bloc on Saturday.

According to the EU officials, India and the EU are likely to announce strong partnership and cooperation on “very resilient medical supply chain and on pharma” at the India-EU Summit.

Negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and India were launched in 2007 and suspended in 2013 due to a gap in the level of ambition between the EU and India.

“India-EU will announce strong partnership and cooperation on very resilient medical supply Chain and on pharma at the India EU summit. India and EU likely to resume negotiations on free trade agreement during EU-India Summit on Saturday,” EU officials said. (ANI)

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