New Delhi: A Delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) visited India from 18-20 December.
External Affairs Minister (EAM) Dr. S. Jaishankar met with Members of European Parliament on a visit to India on December 18. They held a useful discussion on geopolitical convergence, supply chain security, digital sensitivities, AI and maritime security.
EAM Jaishankar wrote on X:
"Glad to meet with Members of European Parliament on a visit to India. A useful discussion on geopolitical convergence, supply chain security, digital sensitivities, AI and maritime security."
The Delegation comprised of MEPs from two committees of the European Parliament viz., Delegation for Relations with India (D – IN) and Sub-Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE), Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said in its press release on December 21.
The MEA further said that the European Parliament delegations called on the External Affairs Minister, Dr. S. Jaishankar on 18 December 2023.
EAM spoke about the India-EU partnership based on shared values like democracy, respect for rule of law, multilateralism, rules-based trade and rules-based international order.
They also had useful discussions on geopolitical convergences, supply chain security, digital sensitivities, AI and maritime security, MEA said.
"The D-IN comprising of 11 MEPs was headed by Morten Lokkegaard and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) comprising of 6 MEPs was headed Nathalie Loiseau", the MEA said.
Both delegations met the Speaker of Lok Sabha Om Birla on December 19 at Parliament House and discussed common worldview based on values of democracy, rule of law, multilateralism and diversity.
Ideas to strengthen parliamentary exchange and cooperation were also discussed.
The Speaker of Lok Sabha Mr. Birla posted on X:
"Pleased to meet a delegation from the Security and Defence Committee of the European Parliament at Parliament House, today. Emphasised that India and Europe share a common worldview based on values of Democracy, Rule of Law and Diversity. The EU delegation commended Bharat's successful G20 leadership and sought Bharat's cooperation in facing challenges emerging from terrorism and other related threats. Strengthening parliamentary cooperation and exchange of ideas were also discussed."
The D-IN delegation also met with the Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal on December 18.
They deliberated on the progress of the India-EU Free trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations currently underway and also explored avenues to further enhance our economic ties.
Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal wrote on X:
"Delighted to meet the European Parliament delegation led by Mr. Morten Løkkegaard, Chairman of the European Parliament's Delegation for Relations with India. Deliberated on the progress of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations & explored avenues to further enhance our economic ties."
The D-IN delegation called on the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha Harivansh Narayan Singh and also met the members of the External Affairs Committee of the Parliament chaired by P P Chaudhary. The D-IN delegation also visited Mumbai.
Ambassador of Delegation European Union to India Herve Delphin also wrote on X in a thread:
"🇪🇺#EuropeanParliament delegation for relations with 🇮🇳 & @EP_Defence in Delhi for constructive exchanges with @PiyushGoyal @DrSJaishankar, @loksabhaspeaker, @ppchaudharybjp, Rajya Sabha representatives, businesses & defence industry. Important talks to make 🇪🇺🇮🇳 partnership💪"
"The SEDE delegation met with the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Defence and exchanged views on India – EU security cooperation and the role of parliamentarians in furthering partnership among democratic partners. The Delegation also had meetings with the Chief of Defence Staff and the Defence Secretary", the MEA said in its statement.
The meetings reflected our mutual interests in deepening and widening India-EU strategic security and defence cooperation along with greater collaboration in the Indo-Pacific. Avenues for enhanced synergy and cooperation in defence industry and manufacturing were also explored, the MEA further said.
The SEDE delegation also visited the Manohar Parrikar Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (MP-IDSA), Bharat Electronics limited and met with the members of Society of Defence Industry Manufacturers in New Delhi and the Western Naval Command and Mazagon Dock Ship Builders Limited in Mumbai during their visit.
Secretary (West) in MEA Sanjay Verma hosted the two delegations for a working dinner on December 18.
"The visit by the Members of the European Parliament reinforced India-EU relations, our shared parliamentary values and our common commitment to deepen economic, political and security cooperation", the MEA said.
