COPENHAGEN: Joint Press Release on India-EU Strategic Partnership Review

COPENHAGEN: The 3rd India-EU Strategic Partnership Review took
place in Brussels on 19 October 2021. Both sides exchanged views concerning
best ways to join forces in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on economies,
societies as well as individuals.

Following the India-EU Leaders’ Meeting of 8th May 2021, which set a clear path
for further deepening ties between India and the EU, the meeting allowed for a
comprehensive review of the Strategic India-EU Partnership, guided by the India-EU Strategic Partnership:
A Roadmap to 2025.

The discussions focused notably on cooperation in addressing the challenges of
climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution, and contributing to the
success of the upcoming Climate COP26. India and the EU also discussed next
steps to operationalise the decision of Indian and EU Leaders to resume negotiations
for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade
agreement and launch negotiations on a stand-alone investment protection
agreement and on a separate agreement on geographical indications. They
discussed the next steps on the implementation of the India-EU Connectivity
Partnership which was agreed at the May 2021 Leaders’ Meeting. India and the EU
also discussed ways to further cooperate in the areas of research, technology
and digital transformation, as well as continued implementation of the Common
Agenda on Migration and Mobility. Recalling the successful 9th India-EU Human
Rights Dialogue in April 2021, India and the EU looked forward to the next
edition of the Dialogue in 2022.

The meeting was co-chaired by Ms. Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West), Ministry of
External Affairs and Ms. Helena König, Deputy Secretary General for Economic
and Global Issues, European External Action Service.