On May 8, 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting at the invitation of the President of the European Council Charles Michel.
- The meeting was held in a hybrid format with the participation of leaders of all the 27 EU Member States as well as the President of the European Council and the European Commission.
- This is the first time that the EU hosted a meeting with India in the EU27 format.
- During the meeting, the leaders expressed their desire to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership based on a shared commitment to democracy, fundamental freedoms, rule of law and multilateralism.
- Both India & EU have decided to resume negotiations for balanced and comprehensive free trade and investment agreement.
Connectivity Partnership
- The leaders launched an ambitious and comprehensive ‘Connectivity Partnership’ which is focused on enhancing digital, energy, transport and people-to-people connectivity.
- The Partnership is based on the shared principles of social, economic, fiscal, climate and environmental sustainability, and respect for international law and commitments.
- The Partnership will catalyse private and public financing for connectivity projects. It will also foster new synergies for supporting connectivity initiatives in third countries, including in the Indo-Pacific.
India-EU Business Roundtable
- An India-EU Business Roundtable was organised to highlight the avenues for cooperation in climate, digital and healthcare.
- A finance contract of 150 million Euro for the Pune Metro Rail Project was signed by the Finance Ministry, and the European Investment Bank.
(AIR)
