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Modi and European Council Chief Explore Plans for India Summit

Writer's picture: MGMMTeamMGMMTeam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a conversation with European Council President Antonio Costa on Tuesday, during which they discussed the potential of organizing the India-EU summit later this year.


PM Modi called India and the EU "natural partners" and expressed commitment to work together to further strengthen the strategic partnership between the two sides | (Photo:PTI)


A PMO statement said, “Prime Minister Modi received a telephone call today from Antonio Costa, President of the European Council. PM congratulated President Costa on his assumption of charge as the President of the European Council.” Costa is a Portuguese leader with Indian roots.


“Noting the substantive progress made in India-EU Strategic Partnership over the past decade, the two leaders agreed to work closely together towards further bolstering the ties, including in the areas of trade, technology, investment, green energy and digital space,” the statement said.


They emphasized the importance of finalizing a mutually beneficial India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and expressed anticipation for the next India-EU Summit, which is to be held in India at a mutually convenient time, the statement said.


“They exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” it said.


Modi posted on X, “Pleased to speak with President @antoniolscosta. India and the EU are natural partners. We are committed to working closely together to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership, including in the areas of technology, green energy, digital space, trade and investments.”


Costa too said, “It was a pleasure to talk again with my long time friend, India PM @narendramodi. We’ve known each other since 2017, when he invited me to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. India is one of our main global partners. It is time to boost our relations and to engage in a new strategic agenda. Looking forward to the EU-India summit later this year.”


“In our call, we addressed shared concerns, focusing on security, international law, and ways to collaborate in tackling geopolitical challenges in #Europe and in #Asia,” he said.


India – EU Relations

India's relations with the European Union trace back to the early 1960s, making it one of the first nations to establish diplomatic ties with the European Economic Community.


  1. In 2004, the relationship was elevated to a 'Strategic Partnership' during the 5th India-EU Summit.

  2. The inaugural India-EU Summit was held in Lisbon, Portugal, in 2000.

  3. As the world's two largest democracies, India and the EU are united in their commitment to human rights, a rules-based global order, effective multilateralism, sustainable development, and open trade.

  4. Regular interactions between India and the EU also take place at the level of Foreign Ministers.


India-EU Trade Relations

The European Union ranks as India’s third-largest trading partner, contributing to 10.8% of India’s total trade in goods. Over the past decade, the trade in goods between India and the EU has increased by 30%.


  1. India enjoys a favorable trade balance with the European Union in agri-food exports.

  2. The trade in services between India and the EU reached approximately €30.4 billion in 2020.

  3. Foreign investments from the European Union have seen substantial growth, totaling €87.3 billion in 2020.

  4. India represents 2.1% of the EU’s total trade in goods, trailing behind China and the United States, which hold shares of 16.2% and 14.7%, respectively.

  5. The Union Minister of Commerce’s recent visit in May 2023 has opened avenues for business-to-business engagements across diverse sectors, including food and beverages, technology, chemicals, automobiles and auto components, textile chemicals, metals, and steel.


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