New Delhi: Reaffirming their strong commitment to combat terrorism in all forms and manifestations, India and European Union will intensify exchanges and cooperation in this regard.
India and European Union on Wednesday held a virtual summit, wherein the prime minister, Narendra Modi, represented India while the EU was represented by the European Council president, Charles Michel, and the European Commission president, Ursula von der Leyen.
“They reaffirmed their strong commitment to global peace and security, disarmament and non-proliferation and to combat terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, including its financing and countering radicalization. India and the EU will intensify exchanges and cooperation in this regard,” a joint statement of the 15th India-EU Summit said.
During their videoconferencing, they agreed to launch a dialogue on maritime security and consultations on security and defence, and to enhance naval cooperation.
They underlined the need to preserve safety and stability in the Indian Ocean.
The leaders welcomed the launch of negotiations on a working arrangement between the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Europol to support law enforcement authorities of India and the member states of the EU in preventing and combating organised crime and terrorism.
“They confirmed their full support to an open, free, stable and secure cyberspace, and their commitment to foster the responsible and liable behaviour of all the actors in the cyberspace,” it said.
They also underlined the need to increase global cyber resilience, including the health sector.
“India and the EU will continue to cooperate on international and regional issues of common interest including Iran and Afghanistan,” it added.
The leaders adopted the “India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025” to guide cooperation between India and the EU over the next five years.
They welcomed the signing of the India-EURATOM Agreement on research and development cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
They also adopted a joint declaration on resource efficiency and circular economy and welcomed the upcoming renewal of the India-EU Science and Technology Agreement for another five years.
They agreed to reconvene for the 16th India-EU Summit in 2021.
Based on shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law, and respect for human rights, aiming at delivering concrete benefits for the people in India and the EU, the leaders decided to strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
“In today's complex world, they, as the world's two largest democracies, affirmed their determination to promote effective multilateralism and a rules-based multilateral order with the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at its core,” the joint statement said.
They will bolster their cooperation in international fora to reinforce international security, strengthen preparedness and response for global health emergencies, enhance global economic stability and inclusive growth, implement the sustainable development goals and protect the climate and the environment.
In this context, “the EU is looking forward to India’s G20 Presidency in 2022 and its membership in the UN Security Council in 2021-2022,” it added.
On Covid-19 pandemic spread across the globe, the leaders agreed that global cooperation and solidarity are essential to protect lives and to mitigate the socio-economic consequences of the pandemic.
On trade and investment, they agreed to further develop their trade and investment relations to unleash their full potential particularly in the context of post-Covid-19 economic recovery and support sustainable growth and jobs on both sides.
In order to provide guidance to the bilateral trade and investment relations and to address multilateral issues of mutual interest, a regular high-level dialogue at ministerial level would be set up.
