Thank you for your invitation. I appreciate this opportunity to share my thoughts on where we are today and the relationship between India and the European Union.

The timing is perfect: an important EU-India summit will take place in just three weeks, in Portugal, where we will meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Both sides are intensely preparing this meeting.  India often comes up in the debates of the European Council, even when it is not on the agenda.  Why is that?

The world order
Because in a world that is more interconnected, more competitive and less stable, like-minded countries tend to look out for each other and join forces.
We see more clearly than ever the need for global cooperation and for a rules-based international order.  Unfortunately, not everyone is choosing this path….