IANS | New Delhi, Feb 28 | Eerming the ongoing visit of the European Commission President and the College of Commissioners to India as “unprecedented”, Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday said that it will elevate the India-European Union multifaceted partnership to new heights.
“This is not only the first visit of the European Commission to India, but it is also the first such comprehensive engagement of the European Commission in any single country. Additionally, it is one of the Commission’s first visits in its new term,” PM Modi spotlighted as he addressed media along with Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, at the Hyderabad House in New Delhi.
The President of the European Commission, accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners, had arrived in New Delhi on Thursday afternoon on a two-day India visit, at the invitation of Prime Minister Modi.
This is the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners together to India and the first visit outside of Europe by the new College of Commissioners that took office in December 2024, marking a new phase in bilateral relations as the two sides enter the third decade of their strategic partnership. “Discussions were held on strengthening the investment framework, including progress on the Investment Protection and GI (Geographical Indications) Agreement. We also emphasised a trusted and strong investment framework in technology and innovation. Our shared commitment includes collaboration in semiconductors, AI, and high-performance computing,” said PM Modi. Extensive discussions were also held on India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that was announced on sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in India in September 2023.
The IMEC, comprising of two separate corridors – the east corridor connecting India to the Gulf region and northern corridor connecting Gulf to Europe – intends to increase efficiency, reduce costs, secure regional supply chains, increase trade accessibility, enhance economic cooperation, generate jobs and lower greenhouse gas emission, resulting in a transformative integration of Asia, Europe and the Middle East (West Asia).
