New Delhi [India], January 29: At this year's summit in New Delhi, both India and the EU are determined to successfully conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement between the two sides.
India is currently the world's fifth-largest economy and second-largest market. These two facts alone demonstrate just how important India is to the EU in Europe's current situation.
The EU is currently facing numerous difficulties and dilemmas. After more than 25 years of negotiations, it signed an agreement with Mercosur (South American Common Market) to establish a free trade area, but ratification has been blocked by the European Parliament . The EU is also grappling with trade issues with both the US and China. It is struggling to support Ukraine in its conflict with Russia. The EU must work with other European NATO members to counter US President Donald Trump on the Greenland issue. Internal divisions within the EU remain deep. Political and social stability is lacking. Economic growth is challenging. The EU's role and influence in global politics are declining. Therefore, the EU must seek partners even in geographically distant places, venturing far and wide to overcome and overcome its difficulties.
Against this backdrop, India has become more important than ever to the EU, even arguably an ideal strategic partner and counterweight. In 2007, negotiations on a free trade agreement began. These negotiations stalled in 2013 and only resumed in 2022. The EU is aware that failure to accelerate negotiations could lead to disappointment and discouragement from India. Therefore, a high-level meeting with India and a swift and successful conclusion of the negotiation process are particularly crucial for the EU. Having gone to such lengths to overcome these difficulties, the EU must do everything possible to ensure the success of this journey and its expansion.
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
