The New EU-India Strategic Agenda: A Partnership Navigating Geopolitical Divides
UPSC Relevance
Prelims: International Relations (India-EU relations, Groupings - EU, Free Trade Agreements - FTAs); Indian Economy (International Trade, Non-tariff barriers like QCOs).
Mains:
General Studies Paper 2 (International Relations): Bilateral, regional and global groupings and agreements involving India and/or affecting India’s interests; Effect of policies and politics of developed and developing countries on India’s interests. India's balancing act between the West and Russia is a core IR topic.
Key Highlights from the News
European Union (EU) proposed a new agenda (A New Strategic EU-India Agenda) to improve its strategic ties with India.
It aims to strengthen cooperation in trade, technology, defense, security, and climate.
Both sides decided to expedite India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations.
However, the EU warned that India's closeness to Moscow, especially its purchase of Russian oil and joint military exercises, is a major obstacle to improving this relationship.
The EU's strategic decision is to cooperate with India to not to push them into Russia's corner (or China's corner).
India's Qualitative Control Orders (QCOs) and other non-tariff barriers are a major point of contention in FTA discussions.
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