Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi is visiting France and Germany this week, but a trip to Brussels is off the agenda. An EU-India summit was originally planned for April but was cancelled at the last minute because the Indian government said it could not get confirmation of the dates. For its part, the European Commission says that the summit was scrapped because of “logistical reasons”.
EU officials have denied that the cancellation was because of a diplomatic row between India and Italy over two Italian marines accused of killing Indian fishermen, but the case has definitely soured relations. India’s relationship with Germany is also testy at the moment, with Modi’s trip officially focused on inaugurating the Hanover trade fair instead of being a “full-fledged bilateral visit”.
To get a reaction about EU-India relations, we recently spoke to Neelam Deo, Director of our partner think tank, Gateway House. What does Europe’s relationship with India look like currently, for instance when looking at international fora such as the WTO, G20 and UN?
To get another response, we also spoke to João Cravinho, Head of the EU Delegation to India. What would he say?
We also asked Neelam Deo how India and Europe can strengthen their relationship, particularly in regards to cooperation on global governance issues such as trade, security and climate change:
Finally, we put the same question to João Cravinho. How can Europe avoid a cooling of relations with India, and strengthen the relationship in future without compromising on its core values?
How can Europe build a better relationship with India? Let us know your thoughts and comments in the form below, and we’ll take them to policymakers and experts for their reactions!
26 comments Post a commentcomment
Only through German y, otherwise it could be referred as trespass against Europe!
Rupendra Sharma
well, as Westerns, we should realise that we are not the center of the universe and that we cannot dominate everyone else… specially if it’s 4 times bigger than us xD
How ?? That cannot happen if the US Gov controls the EU as it currently does.
There’s no relationship to strenght, because each european country is in directly competition when it wants to conclue a market with India or another land!
Indians and Europeans have common ancient roots, it would be great to see coming both cultures closer! India has also strong democratic traditions, I see it as a natural ally of Europe.
Trade; creating jobs; multilateral cooperation ;)
The two biggest democracies are natural allies.
NO
Europe, you can go and bild in India!
That maybe would create a better balance in the world.
would UK permit Frogs, Germans ? :)
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If there are free trade agreements between every country why do we need the EU ?
They need to release our soldiers imprisoned in India before making new deals.
How can Europe and India strengthen their relationship?
How in the Heaven to know that ? There are gazillions of factors that can accelerate or slow down any inter continental relations. Lately the almighty Russia was busy enlarging and deepen the gap between Europe and Asia, besides old and new rivalries among europeans.
Are these “logistical reasons” (or whatever) from India not a statement and preference to rather negotiate directly with ‘leaders from real countries” & not with the reserve team of bureaucratic officials- acting as if they are the real McCoy?
I am in favor of a free europe honest trade and peace with India and the rest of the World
why not?
Tom Kwiatkowski yes, how?
Obviously!
First free la torre and girone italian marines
Talk with Narendra Modi and ask him.
Yes
As the picture on top indicates (Germany/India), it is the nations still and not the EU who are of geopolitical interest. However, ideologically the (“soft”) EU is dominating public opinion and academia. This continuously weakens the ability of nations like Germany and France to think and act in geostrategic terms in favour of a common European good.
Because of this, to lead EU-Europe geostrategically is basically left to the US.
Only the US seems to have a realistic picture and vision (see link).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oaL5wCY99l8
@ Bastian:
This clip of yours is simply conformation of what US policy has been since WWII. Control of and financial stripping of Europe. They have had their army in Germany for more than sixty years and had every intention of expanding that control to what it is today, via NATO. Which is the fascade they use to hoodwink the foolish nationals into believing they are included in their ‘protection’ project. Which is why NATO must be dismantled and the US bases removed if Europe really wants control of its own life.
The US has intended and are now instigating European war with Russia, since the deal with Stalin at Potsdam has had them fierce with rage at the slicing up of German lands in that contract.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/heading-for-war-with-russia-ukraine-is-the-epicenter-of-a-possible-european-war/5428341
The biggest problem Europe has, and as yet, they have no real grasp of its reality is, who are the people running the US who will be the boot we will all have to live under? And forget the British, they are entirely consumed by American interests, bought lock stock and barrel by the idea of Global power share.
http://www.globalresearch.ca/heading-for-war-with-russia-ukraine-is-the-epicenter-of-a-possible-european-war/5428341
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/30/russia-ukraine-war-kiev-conflict
I think India and Europe cannot strengthen their relation until the italian marine issue is completely solved !