EU-India Summit, 30 March 2016

Author (Corporate)
Series Title
Series Details 30.03.16
Publication Date 30/03/2016
Content Type

The 13th EU-India summit took place on 30 March 2016 in Brussels. The European Union was represented by European Council president Donald Tusk and European Commission president Jean-Claude Juncker. Other members of the EC were also present at the meeting.

The summit was seen as an opportunity to relaunch relations and make concrete progress on areas of mutual interest, including trade and investment, energy, climate, water and migration.

Leaders at the summit adopted a joint statement, reaffirming their commitment to strengthen the EU-India strategic partnership.

+ EU-India partnership
Leaders endorsed the EU-India agenda for action 2020, which will set out a concrete road-map for the next five years.

They also welcomed the re-engagement in discussions on how to move forward the EU-India Trade and Investment Agreement negotiations.

Both sides acknowledged the importance of enhancing cooperation on sustainable development and environmental issues. In this context, they adopted a joint declaration on the India-EU water partnership. They also adopted a joint declaration on a clean energy and climate partnership.

The EU and India highlighted the importance of contacts between their citizens. They welcomed the establishment of a common agenda on migration and mobility.

The summit also provided an opportunity for the European Investment Bank and India to formally agree on a €450m long-term loan to finance the first metro line in Lucknow.

+ Foreign policy, human rights and security
Both sides expressed their commitment to step up foreign policy and security cooperation. They also highlighted the importance of cooperation on human rights.

Leaders adopted a joint declaration on counter-terrorism, emphasising the need for a global response to this threat.

+ Global issues
The leaders reaffirmed the G20's key role in achieving strong, sustainable and balanced growth to the benefit of citizens and recognised the importance of implementing the comprehensive agenda adopted at the G-20 Summit of November 2015.

They also welcomed the adoption of the 2030 agenda for sustainable development and the historicclimate change agreement reached in Paris.

The EU-India strategic partnership was launched in 2004. The last EU-India summit had been held in Delhi in 2012.

Source Link Link to Main Source http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/meetings/international-summit/2016/03/30/
Related Links
ESO: Background information: India ready to revive trade talks with the EU http://www.europeansources.info/record/india-ready-to-revive-trade-talks-with-the-eu/
ESO: Background information: EU-India summit A partnership for prosperity [February 2012] http://www.europeansources.info/record/press-release-eu-india-summit-a-partnership-for-prosperity/
EUObserver, 29.03.16: [Opinion] Can EU–India summit revive flagging partnership? https://euobserver.com/opinion/132810
Medecins Sans Frontieres: Statement, 29.03.16: At EU-India Summit, India must defend its ‘pharmacy of the developing world’ http://www.msf.org/article/eu-india-summit-india-must-defend-its-%E2%80%98pharmacy-developing-world%E2%80%99
EU: EEAS: Factsheet: EU-India relations http://eeas.europa.eu/factsheets/news/eu-india_factsheet_en.htm
Carnegie Europe: Strategic Europe, 29.03.16: Modi in Europe: Relaunching the EU-India Strategic Partnership http://carnegieeurope.eu/strategiceurope/?fa=63153
Europe's World: Frankly Speaking, 09.03.16: EU-India relations: time to ‘start over’ http://europesworld.org/2016/03/09/eu-india-relations-time-start/#.Vvr5NHoYPbR
EurActiv, 31.03.16: India, EU vow to boost anti-terror ties http://www.euractiv.com/section/global-europe/news/india-eu-vow-to-boost-anti-terror-ties/
EU: EEAS: EU Relations with India http://eeas.europa.eu/india/index_en.htm
BBC News 31.03.16: India's business magnates watching EU debate closely http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-india-35915389
The Diplomat, 31.03.16: Where Do European Union-India Relations Stand? http://thediplomat.com/2016/03/where-do-european-union-india-relations-stand/
Eurostat: Press Release, STAT/16/1107: EU – India Summit-EU trade in goods with India in slight deficit in 2015 for a third consecutive year-Small surplus for trade in services http://ec.europa.eu/eurostat/web/products-press-releases/-/6-30032016-AP
European Council: Statement, 30.03.16: EU-India summit: joint statement, agenda for action and joint declarations http://www.consilium.europa.eu/en/press/press-releases/2016/03/30-eu-india/
European Commission: DG Communication: RAPID: PRESS RELEASE: IP/16/1142, 30.03.16: EU-India Summit: A new momentum for the EU-India Strategic Partnership http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-16-1142_en.htm
EUObserver, 31.03.16: [Opinion] EU-India: reincarnation of a strategic partnership https://euobserver.com/opinion/132847
India: Ministry of External Affairs: Visits: Outgoing Visits: Visit of Prime Minister to Belgium (March 30, 2016) http://www.mea.gov.in/outgoing-visit-info.htm?2/866/Visit+of+Prime+Minister+to+Belgium+March+30+2016
ESO: Background information: What does India think? http://www.europeansources.info/record/what-does-india-think/

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