On 15th July 2020, the 15th summit between India and the European Union (EU) was held virtually where India was represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the EU was represented by Charles Michel, President of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission.
- During the meet India and the European Union were stated as “natural partners” and encouraged cultural exchanges and educational cooperation between India and the EU.
–India, EU adopted declaration on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy
Both nations adopted a Joint Declaration on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy and welcomed the upcoming renewal of the EU-India Science and Technology Agreement for another five years. They agreed to reconvene for the 16th India-EU Summit in 2021.
- Joint Declaration on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy will enable dialogue and cooperation in areas such as policy & regulations, exchange of best practices and capacities, and technical exchanges in areas such as energy efficiency, waste management, recycling, circular business models in areas such as mobility, ICT, mobility, construction, food and textiles sector.
–India-EU endorsed Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025
India-EU endorsed “EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025” as a common roadmap to guide joint action and further strengthen the EU-India Strategic Partnership over the next five years.
- There was signing of the Euratom-India Agreement between EURATOM and the Department of Atomic Energy of India on research and development cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.
- The two sides decided to establish a maritime security dialogue replacing the counter-piracy dialogue and explore opportunities for further maritime cooperation. They also decided to deepen cooperation between the Indian Navy and the European Union Naval Force (EUNAVFOR) ATALANTA.
- Both nations also Renewed the Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement for another 5 years which will enable continuation of scientific projects and research exchanges in areas such as biotechnology, clean energy, e-mobility, energy efficiency, marine sciences, etc.
Click Here to Read Full EU-India Joint Declaration on Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy
–India-EU to step up cooperation in climate change, science and space
The Leaders welcomed the ongoing cooperation between the EU and India under the Clean Energy and Climate Partnership. The EU and India will engage constructively in the global stocktake in 2023.
- The EU and India will reinforce their cooperation in the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to promote the deployment of solar energy, and in the International Platform on Sustainable Finance (IPSF) to mobilise private capital towards environmentally sustainable investments.
- EU will cooperate with the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) launched by India to ensure that infrastructures are resilient to climate change.
- Both nations also agreed to work closely together in developing an ambitious post-2020 global framework to protect biodiversity, to be adopted at the 2021 UN Biodiversity Conference.
- They agreed to jointly tackle water issues, air pollution, plastic and marine litter. The leaders welcomed the continued fusion research cooperation within the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) project.
–High-level dialogue set up Piyush Goyal and Phil Hogan to address trade issues
To revive talks on a free trade agreement that have been suspended since 2013, the two sides announced a “high level dialogue” between Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal and E.U. Trade Commissioner Phil Hogan to try and take the Bilateral Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) forward.
- High Level Dialogue at ministerial level will provide guidance to the bilateral trade and investment relations and to address multilateral issues of mutual interest.
–COVID-19: India, EU to enhance cooperation on health security, pandemic crisis response
India-EU agreed to intensify cooperation on health security and pandemic crisis preparedness and response, particularly to the COVID-19 pandemic. Both nations ensured a continued flow of medical supplies, agricultural products, raw materials and other goods and services across borders.
Static Points:
-India to have G20 (Group of 20) Presidency in 2022 and its membership in the UN Security Council in 2021-2022.
The fifth International Conference on Chemical Management to be held in Bonn, Germany in 2021.
-The 27 nation EU is India’s largest trading partner for goods with trade exceeding 100 billion dollars, while India is the E.U.’s ninth biggest trading partner.
-There is an upcoming planned investment of €550 million in the Pune (Maharashtra) and Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) Metro Rail Projects by European Investment Bank (EIB) in Luxembourg.
-Indio EU sees people-to-people exchanges including students, researchers, professionals, business persons & tourists as part of the Joint Declaration on Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility (CAMM).
