India-EU Summit: Partnership important for 'economic restoration' post COVID-19 says PM Modi

NewsBharati    16-Jul-2020 09:38:43 AM
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New Delhi, July 16: Addressing the 15th India-EU summit, Prime Minister Narendra Modi stated that India and the European Union are "natural partners", so India-EU partnership can play an important role in "economic reconstruction" after new problems have emerged globally after the COVID-19 pandemic.
 
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PM Modi, who co-chaired the virtual summit with European Council President Charles Michel and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, said there is a need for more cooperation among democratic nations to deal with economic problems.
 
 
"After COVID-19, new problems have cropped up globally in the economic field. This requires greater cooperation between the democratic nations. Today, both the health and prosperity of our citizens are facing challenges. There are a variety of pressures on the rules-based international order. Under such circumstances, the India-EU partnership can play a significant role in economic reconstruction, and in building human-centric and humanity-centric globalization," he said.
 
Apart from the current challenges, Modi said that long-term challenges like climate change are also a priority for both India and the EU. "In our efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in India, we invite investment and technology from Europe. I hope that through this virtual summit, our relations will gain momentum," he added.
 
PM Modi said, "he is committed to deepen and strengthen the relations between India and the EU. We must adopt a long-term strategic perspective for the same." To make this happen, he suggested that an action-oriented agenda should be created, which can be implemented within a stipulated time frame.
 
PM Modi shared India's views on India-China relations in general and the present situation in border areas, however, no discussion was held on the Galwan Valley clashes with the European Union (EU), said Vikas Swarup, Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West). "As part of the review of global and regional development, our relations with China did come up. The Prime Minister shared our views on the India-China relationship in general and the current situation in the border areas," Swarup said at a press briefing after the conclusion of the 15th India-EU Summit.
 
Officials on the other side also shared their views on the India-China border dispute. Michel said: “The EU and India are more than economic partners – we are political partners committed to the peaceful resolution of conflicts, security, and rule of law...India can count on the EU and we count on India to be a key partner.” On the other hand, Von der Leyen added, “Today, our main message has been that the EU stands by India as friends and partners.”