External Affairs Minister Dr S. Jaishankar has expressed confidence that the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting will further strengthen the momentum of the India-EU partnership, driven by the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the Security and Defence Partnership, and the Mobility Framework.
Speaking to the media after the 3rd India-EU Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels yesterday, Dr Jaishankar said that India and the European Union share a natural affinity and have built a strong relationship based on trust. He said both sides are now working to translate that trust into deeper cooperation in business and technology.
Dr Jaishankar also announced that India and the European Union will begin negotiations for India’s association with the Horizon Europe programme. He added that both sides have agreed to establish the first Innovation Hub focused on EV charging infrastructure standards.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal described the proposed India-EU Free Trade Agreement as fair, equitable and balanced, calling it a win-win arrangement for all sectors in both economies.
Highlighting the outcomes of the meeting, Mr Goyal said India and the European Union share a vision for an innovation-driven, trusted and future-ready growth partnership. He said the Trade and Technology Council has emerged as an important pillar of bilateral engagement and has helped both sides move from discussions to delivery.
Mr Goyal added that India and the European Union are committed to reducing dependencies in critical sectors and to building reliable, resilient and diversified supply chains.
