PM Modi reminds EU of common values, seeks deeper ties as the China factor looms

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday stated that India and the European Union have been pure companions with shared values and customary targets as evidenced within the cooperation demonstrated by the 2 sides in tackling the coronavirus pandemic. He additionally invited European investments for the additional growth of atmosphere pleasant applied sciences in India.

The prime minister additionally underlined India’s demonstration of its coverage of worldwide cooperation via provide of emergency drugs to round 150 international locations the world over, with an goal to strengthen efforts to defeat the coronavirus pandemic.

“India has taken care of the interests of other countries apart from its own citizens by sending medicines to almost 150 countries and has also initiated a joint response to the pandemic in the region,” PM stated, whereas addressing the delegates on the 15th India-EU digital summit.

He added that Indian researchers and pharmaceutical firms have been able to make even higher contributions to world efforts to comprise the pandemic.

Earlier in his handle, the prime minister stated that India’s partnership with the EU can play an essential function in sustaining peace and stability on this planet. He added that this actuality had change into starker within the world scenario right this moment.

“Several types of pressures are being exerted on rules-based international order. In a situation like this India-EU partnership, can play an important role in economic rebuilding, a human centric and also humanity-centric globalization,” stated the PM.

Underlining that India and EU have been “natural” companions, Modi stated, “Our partnership is significant for peace and stability of the world.”

The India-EU summit comes amid a protracted border battle with China that was adopted by the Indian authorities’s resolution to cancel just a few contracts awarded to Chinese firms and to ban a number of in style Chinese cellular purposes like TikTok.

Yesterday, Britain determined to oust Chinese firm Huwaei from its 5G venture consistent with the stand taken by the United States towards the corporate. The US had not too long ago warned Europe towards cozying as much as China and ignoring Beijing’s perceived expansionist tendencies together with use of bullying of its commerce companions as a tactic to advance its territorial ambition.

Modi stated India’s relationship with the EU wanted to be deeper, wider and extra strategic given the overlapping of values and targets.

“For this, we need to adopt a long-term strategic perspective. We also need an action-oriented agenda, which can be implemented in a set time frame,” the PM stated underlining the shared values of democracy, pluralism, inclusivity, respect for worldwide establishments, multilateralism, freedom and transparency, which, he stated, made the scaling up of ties to the subsequent stage a pure course of.

“Apart from current challenges, long-term challenges like climate change are also a priority for India and the EU. In our efforts to increase the use of renewable energy in India, we invite investment and technology from Europe,” the PM stated on the summit.

At the outset, the European Council President Charles Michel thanked India for the “cooperation” proven with the EU, particularly in combating the pandemic.

“I would like to thank India for the cooperation your country has shown with the EU. I would like to pay tribute to your role nationally and internationally, multilaterally in combating Covid 19 pandemic,” Michel stated.