India and EU agree to launch Trade and Technology Council

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen have agreed to launch the EU-India Trade and Technology Council for closer cooperation on strategic aspects of emerging technologies and building trusted partnerships.

Establishing the EU-India Trade and Technology Council is a key step towards a strengthened strategic partnership for the benefit of all peoples in the EU and India. This strategic coordination will allow both partners to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security, hence deepening cooperation in these fields between the EU and India.

Both leaders also reviewed the progress of the trade talks, with India and the EU having restarted negotiations to strike a comprehensive free trade deal and an investment agreement. The next round of trade talks between India and the EU are expected to take place in June. PM Modi said he was delighted to hold talks with Ursula von der Leyen and that both sides reviewed the “full range of India-EU ties, including economic and cultural linkages”

A joint statement said, “The Trade and Technology Council will provide the political steer and the necessary structure to operationalise political decisions, coordinate technical work, and report to the political level to ensure implementation and follow-up in areas that are important for the sustainable progress of European and Indian economies.”

The European Commission Chief tweeted, “Strengthening the EU-India partnership is a key priority for this decade. We will step up cooperation in trade, technology, and security. This is why I’m pleased that (Narendra) Modi and I will establish an EU-India Trade and Technology Council.”

Speaking at the Raisina Dialogue and earlier at the headquarters of the International Solar Alliance (ISA), she described the India-EU relationship as more important than ever. “For the EU, the partnership with India is one of our most important relationships for the coming decade and strengthening this partnership is a priority,” she said.