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OPINION APRIL 23, 2021 | The Indian Eye 16

india-eu PartnersHiP:

can the unfulfilled

potential Be realised?

China is trying to sow dissensions within the EU by promoting the 17+1 initiative

asHOk sajjanHar possible, countries that have
significant interests in peace

he 16th India-Europe- and security in the region could
an Union (EU) Summit get actively associated with the
deliberations to enhance coop-
Tmeeting will take place in eration on common objectives.
Porto, Portugal on May 8, 2021. Countries like France (and even
Prime Minister Narendra Modi the UK, although it is not for-
will get an opportunity to in-
teract with leaders of all 27 EU mally part of the EU), for in-
stance, could get associated with
Member States and also con- Quad activities in a formal or an
fer with Charles Michel, Pres- ad-hoc manner. This would pro-
ident of the European Council, vide greater substance to the de-
as well as Ursula von der Ley- sire and aspiration of the EU to
en, President of the European
Commission. become a geo-political entity of
Both India and the EU have standing.
China’s aggression against
been keen to maintain the mo- India that led to the loss of lives
mentum in their bilateral inter- at Galwan and the amassing of
actions, despite the challenges troops and military equipment
posed by the pandemic. The on the Indo-Tibetan border in
two sides, for instance, met in a
virtual format in July 2020. In- violation of agreements signed
dia-EU interactions have taken by it, its threatening posture
place in the context of a chal- against Japan, repeated viola-
tions of air defence identifica-
lenging geo-political situation tion zone (ADIZ) of Taiwan,
due to the rise of China on one apart from its flagrant violation
hand and the decline of multi- of human rights in East Turk-
lateralism, on the other. While
these dynamics were present istan (Xinjiang), Tibet, Hong
even before the onset of the Kong, and South Mongolia,
stand out.
pandemic, they have witnessed China’s muscle-flexing in
a sharp acceleration as a result the South China Sea by occu-
of the pandemic. pying and militarising islands
The EU is India’s largest External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar with Minister
trading partner and largest in- for Europe & Foreign Affairs of France Jean-Yves Le Drian, and the Exclusive Economic
vestor in India. One of the most in New Delhi on April 13 (ANi) Zone (EEZ) belonging to oth-
significant areas that both sides er littoral States in violation of
international law, its so-called
should focus on is to unblock by 2009. the prudent approach at this ‘wolf-warrior’ diplomacy, and
the discussions on the Bilateral It is reported that the two stage when the appetite for tak- proclaiming a charter of 14 de-
Trade and Investment Agree- sides are considering entering ing ambitious and bold decisions mands vis-à-vis Australia, are
ment, which was launched at into a mini-trade deal to pluck on both sides would be limited.
the 7th India-EU Summit held some of the low-hanging fruits The EU could consider cre- elements of its increasing bel-
at Helsinki in 2006. Both sides while continuing discussions on ating an EU-wide Indo-Pacific ligerent behavior that should
had agreed on an ambitious tar- a comprehensive trade agree- approach, which is progressive rile India and the EU, who are
get to complete the negotiations ment. This would appear to be and forward looking. If it is not Continued on next page... >>

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