New Delhi, Oct 28 Vice President and Rajya Sabha Chairman C P Radhakrishnan, who on Wednesday met a delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs, said India and the European Union share a common interest in shaping a resilient multipolar global order.
The India-EU ties have witnessed remarkable progress in recent years across a range of sectors, he said, thanking the leadership of both India and the EU for taking the relationship forward.
Emphasising the shared foundation of the relationship, Radhakrishnan noted that as the two largest democracies and open market economies with diverse and pluralistic societies, India and the European Union share a common interest in shaping a resilient multipolar global order.
He highlighted that institutional linkages established since the visit of the College of Commissioners in 2025 — led by President Ursula von der Leyen with a whole-of-government approach — have yielded fruitful results.
Recalling high-level engagements, Radhakrishnan mentioned that President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen attended as guests of honour during the Republic Day celebrations this year. Their state visit for the 16th India-EU Summit provided tremendous momentum to the partnership.
Focusing on trade and investment, the Vice President highlighted that India and the European Union together represent a combined market of around USD 25 trillion and nearly two billion people.
Terming the proposed Free Trade Agreement the “mother of all deals”, he expressed hope that it would be signed this year and sought the requisite support of the European Parliament in its fruition.
Addressing cooperation in technology, research and innovation, Radhakrishnan appreciated the significant role played by the India-EU Trade and Technology Council in high-level strategic coordination. He also expressed satisfaction with the conclusion of negotiations on India’s association with the prestigious Horizon Europe programme.
During the meeting, the Vice President also expressed his deepest condolences over the tragic train accident in Spain on Wednesday.
Rajya Sabha members Sanjay Kumar Jha (President, India-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group); Surendra Singh Nagar (President, India-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group); Amar Pal Maurya (President, India-Poland Parliamentary Friendship Group); and P T Usha (President, India-Germany Parliamentary Friendship Group) also attended the meeting. PTI SKC 1.0.
(PTI News)
