EU, India try again to clinch trade deal, sidelining China

[Uncensored]

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen


PORTO, Portugal (AP) — The European Union and India agreed Saturday to restart negotiations on a bilateral free trade deal, eight years after their first attempt failed and as both sides seek alternatives to China.

Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke via videoconference to EU leaders attending a summit in Portugal. The two sides announced what they called “a pivotal moment" in their relations by agreeing to resume talks they gave up on in 2013 and to collaborate on a wide range of other issues.

Speaking at a press conference after the closed-door talks, senior EU officials were thrilled by the prospect of closer ties with India.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen called it “outstanding” and “a landmark moment.” European Council President Charles Michel said Saturday's agreement marked “a new, important chapter” in bilateral relations.

Modi was scheduled to be at the online press conference after the meeting but didn’t appear.

Plans for a face-to-face EU-India summit in Porto, in northern Portugal, fell through after Modi canceled his trip due to the devastating pandemic surge in his country. His remote appearance was the first time an Indian leader participated in a meeting with all of the EU’s leaders.

Von der Leyen said 17 EU countries have provided more than 100 million euros ($122 million) worth of pandemic aid to India, including oxygen generators, medicines and ventilators, and were ready to send more.

While trade talks proceed, parallel negotiations will be held on investment protection and geographic indicators - a key interest for the EU, which places importance on protecting its distinctive products - in order to speed up the process, von der Leyen said.

The two sides said in a six-page joint statement that they also agreed to cooperate more in areas such as supercomputing for pandemic and climate change modelling, artificial intelligence and digital and transport connectivity.


Warm relations with India have an added attraction for the EU, which is eager to expand its influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

The EU’s ties with China have soured over Beijing’s treatment of its Uighur Muslim minority, leading to the suspension of the bloc’s ratification of a bilateral investment agreement.

India, meanwhile, fell out with China in a border dispute last year.

Clinching a free trade deal won’t be an easy task for EU and Indian negotiators. Six years of talks produced no agreement the last time they tried, with issues such as vehicle parts and duties on wine and spirits thwarting an agreement.

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[Dalit]

LOL EU is falling apart. A waning power that has no future.

Everyone can see where India is heading under Modi LOL

China would be laughing all the way to the bank.

 

[vi-va]

EU ask India to lower tariff on cars, not possible. While India ask EU to import Indians, not possible.
Dead end.

 

[waz]

India actually asked for a looser immigration and visa policy for its workers as well which the EU won’t grant.

 

[StraightEdge]

What a headline! WTF China supposed to do in a trade agreement between EU and India? If we go this route, the headline should also be like EU, India try to clinch deal sidelining US/Pak/BD/Mozambique/Vatican.

 

[Ali_Baba]

It would be interesting to see if there can be a free trade deal between the EU and India. Both entities are protectionalist inward looking entities that have strong make at home lobbies, so what will either side export to the other side, if both sides want to make at home and then export ?

India will ask for increased access for services, including easier passports/visa access, and the EU will ask for increased access to India for manufactured products. Something India does not want to provide due to its "Make in India" strategy and policy.

Both India and the EU have been talking for a long long time about a FTA and each time, it has failed, due to contradictory interests.

As other have said, this is a dead end.

 

[CAPRICORN-88]

Is China trying to stop India from making its deal with other nation?

So who is stopping India and what has it got to do with China trade agreement with EU.

India withdrew from the RCEP at the eleventh hour although it has plenty of time to channel its disagreement before this.
This disrupted the signing ceremony by almost a year, could be interpreted as sabotage but all the participating nations choose to stay mum.
They were all irated and feeling frustrated at India last minute action.

 

[siegecrossbow]

India can't open up its market in fear of competition with South East Asia but will miraculously open up to developed nations of EU?

 

[ZeEa5KPul]

...

 

[waz]

India can't open up its market in fear of competition with South East Asia but will miraculously open up to developed nations of EU?

They want access for their workers/people as well.

 

[faithfulguy]

EU ask India to lower tariff on cars, not possible. While India ask EU to import Indians, not possible.
Dead end.

Since Indian can’t make jack, they are exporting their best and brightest. As a result, it exacerbate its brain drain. And reinforce its remittance based economy.

The problem is that western countries have enough fake “high skill talents” from India as they are poorly trained and lack ethics. Just like many Indians you see in PDF.

 

[vi-va]

Since Indian can’t make jack, they are exporting their best and brightest. As a result, it exacerbate its brain drain. And reinforce its remittance based economy.

The problem is that western countries have enough fake “high skill talents” from India as they are poorly trained and lack ethics. Just like many Indians you see in PDF.

well summarized.