In the 7th edition of Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi; EU asserts strengthening its partnership with India is priority in forthcoming decade.
European Commission President Ursula Von Der Leyen declares that strengthening partnership with India is a priority in the upcoming decade saying that India and the EU share fundamental values and common interests as vibrant democracies.
Who Were Present
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and other dignitaries were present at the inaugural session of Raisina Dialogue. Several former Prime Ministers of different countries and other dignitaries are also participating in the event. The three-day Dialogue is based on the theme – Terranova, impassioned, impatient, imperilled. There are six broad thematic pillars of the Dialogue including Rethinking Democracy, End of Multilateralism, Water Caucuses, Achieving Green Transitions. Raisina Dialogue will have around 100 sessions with over 210 speakers from 90 countries.
Contents of the Discussion
The EC President Ursula Von Der Leyen conveyed exuberance at the launch of the India EU Trade and Technology Council which will facilitate collaboration on expanded trade, technology, and security. Proposing the Vote of Thanks at the inaugural session of Raisina Dialogue, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar said, the EU has already expressed an Indo-Pacific and Connectivity strategy. He said India and EU’s climate action, digital and other conversations are also getting increasingly serious. He said the EU is approaching global challenges with a much sharper strategic awareness.
The President of the European Commission gave the main address at the inaugural session of the seventh edition of Raisina Dialogue, in New Delhi on Monday evening, Ms. Leyen said, India and the EU believe in each country’s right to determine its own destiny, in rule of law and fundamental rights.
She went on to say that they believe that it is democracy that best delivers for citizens. Ms. Leyen said that every five years when Indians cast their vote in Parliamentary elections, the world watches with admiration as the world’s largest democracy charts its future path because the outcome of decisions made by 1.3 billion people resonates around the globe.
She emphasized that for the European Union’s strengthening and energizing, its partnership with India is a priority in this upcoming decade. She also said that both economies thrive in a world of common rules and fair competition.
The European Commission President said India and the EU share the same interests in safe trading routes, immaculate supply chains, and a free and open Indo-Pacific. She said, there are rising challenges to open and free societies and this is true for the technological and economic domain as well as security.
She highlighted that the core principles that implement peace and security across the world are at risk. She stated that the EU sees Russia’s aggression as a direct threat to security. She said the EU will make sure that unprovoked and unjustified aggression against Ukraine will be a strategic failure. She said they are doing all that they can to help Ukraine fight for its freedom. Ms. Leyen stressed that the response to Russia’s aggression today will decide the future of both the international system and the global economy.