Dec 22: A Delegation of Members of the European Parliament (MEPs) visited India from 18-20 December 2023. The Delegation comprised MEPs from two committees of the European Parliament viz., Delegation for Relations with India (D – IN) and Sub-Committee on Security and Defence (SEDE).
The D-IN comprising 11 MEPs was headed by Mr. Morten Lokkegaard and the Subcommittee on Security and Defence (SEDE) comprising 6 MEPs was headed by Ms. Nathalie Loiseau.
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 the rule of law, multilateralism, rules-based trade and rules-based international order. They also discussed geopolitical convergences, supply chain security, digital sensitivities, AI and maritime security.
Both delegations called on the Speaker of Lok Sabha, Shri Om Birla on 19 December 2023 and discussed our common worldview based on values of democracy, rule of law, multilateralism and diversity. Ideas to strengthen parliamentary exchange and cooperation were also discussed.
The D-IN delegation met with the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Shri Piyush Goyal on 18 December 2023. 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. The D-IN delegation called on the Deputy Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Shri. Harivansh Narayan Singh also met the members of the External Affairs Committee of the Parliament chaired by Shri P P Chaudhary. The D-IN delegation also visited Mumbai.
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 meetings reflected our mutual interests in deepening and widening India-EU strategic security and defence cooperation and greater Indo-Pacific collaboration. Avenues for enhanced synergy and cooperation in the defence industry and manufacturing were also explored. 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 the Society of Defence Industry Manufacturers in New Delhi and the Western Naval Command and Mazagon Dock Ship Builders Limited in Mumbai during their visit.
Shri Sanjay Verma, Secretary (West), MEA hosted the two delegations for a working dinner on 18 December 2023.
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.
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