European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen to visit India

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Amidst the heightened attention over India-European Union relations in wake of simmering Russia-Ukraine crisis, the President of European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen will pay an 2-day official visit to India on April 24-25.

On her first maiden visit to India since taking the charge of European Commission Office, President Von Der Leyen will call on President Ram Nath Kovind, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar among other dignitaries. President Leyen will also attend this year’s edition of Raisina Dialogue as the Chief Guest and will also address inaugural session on 25 April 2022.

According to the statement released by the delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan, wide range of issues concerning both India and European Union will be discussed during the meeting. The high-level talks will focus around issues including the fight against climate change and biodiversity loss, the energy and digital transition, connectivity, security and defence, cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

“EU-India broad economic agenda, with focus on the free trade agreement, Investment Protection agreement and geographical Indications agreement will also be on the agenda,” the statement by the delegation of the European Union to India and Bhutan further added.

During the high-level India-European Union talks, the simmering Russia-Ukraine crisis which had sent shockwaves around the world will also be tabled for discussion.

In recent years, India and the European Union are working closely to further intensity the multifaceted partnership on range of issues. Earlier during the EU Ministerial Forum for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, External Affairs Minister Dr. S Jaishankar along with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian discussed key regional and global issues, particularly the India-EU relationship and the priorities of the French Presidency of the EU Council that began on January 1, 2022.

Earlier in 2021, India and EU Leaders’ Meeting in May 2021 set new milestones with the decision to resume trade talks and the launch of India-EU Connectivity Partnership.

EU one of the largest investors in India is contributing to the creation of over 1.5 million direct and 5 million indirect jobs in the country. Also, EU-India trade in goods and services in 2020 amounted to €96 billion.