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New Delhi : The 14th annual Summit between India and the European Union (EU) was held in New Delhi on October 6, 2017. India was represented by PM Narendra Modi while the EU was represented by Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission. The leaders reviewed the wide-ranging cooperation under the India-EU Strategic Partnership.
Recognising that India and the EU are natural partners, the leaders reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership based on shared principles and values of democracy, freedom, rule of law and respect for human rights and territorial integrity of States, according to a PIB release.
The leaders expressed satisfaction at the progress made towards implementing the India-EU Agenda for Action 2020 – the roadmap for bilateral cooperation endorsed during the 13th India-EU Summit. They committed to work in a result-oriented and mutually beneficial manner to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership by augmenting their trade cooperation, enhancing investment flows in both directions and broadening dialogue and engagement on global and regional issues including climate change, as well as migration and the refugee crisis, and resolved to further strengthen their bilateral and multilateral cooperation in these areas. They commended the strong engagement of the European Investment Bank in India in a wide range of key sectors particularly in the field of climate action and renewable energy, according to a PIB release.
India and the EU expressed their deep concern over the recent spate of violence in Rakhine state of Myanmar that has resulted in the outflow of a large number of people from the state many of whom have sought shelter in neighbouring Bangladesh. Both sides took note that this violence was triggered off by a series of attacks by Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army (ARSA) militants which led to loss of lives amongst the security forces as well as the civilian population.
Both sides recognised the need for ending the violence and restoring normalcy in the Rakhine state without any delay. They urged the Myanmar authorities to implement the Kofi Annan-led Rakhine Advisory Commission’s recommendations and work with Bangladesh to enable the return of the displaced persons from all communities to Northern Rakhine State. India and the EU also recognised the role being played by Bangladesh in extending humanitarian assistance to the people in need.
India and the EU reaffirmed their support for the continued full implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) regarding the Iranian nuclear issue. They recognised confirmation by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) that Iran is complying with its nuclear-related JCPOA commitments. India and the EU called for the full and effective implementation of the deal, which has been endorsed by the UN Security Council and is a crucial contribution to the non-proliferation framework and international peace, stability and security, according to the PIB release.
The leaders underlined their strong support for a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine through the full implementation of the Minsk Agreements by all parties in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2202 (2015).