EU leaders back early trade pact, AI cooperation in meetings with Modi | India News
New Delhi: After hosting French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai, Prime Minister Modi on Wednesday held bilateral meetings with the leaders of Spain, Finland, Estonia, Croatia and Serbia, to deepen cooperation in technology, innovation, security and defense with Europe, which is participating in the ongoing force. AI Impact Summit. With 26 countries officially represented, this is the largest ever presence of European countries at a technology-based event in India, according to official sources.In formal discussions, EU leaders/members expressed their unanimous support for early implementation of the India-EU FTA. They are also said to have pledged support for its early approval in the European Council and the European Parliament.
“They are all keen to increase trade ties with India, creating new opportunities and jobs for people, taking advantage of the FTA,” a government source said.In Modi’s meeting with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the two supported ongoing defense cooperation, hailing the progress in the Tata-Airbus collaboration for the final assembly line of the C-295 transport aircraft in Vadodara and stressing the importance of defense industry cooperation based on co-development and co-production. Sanchez highlighted the importance of the AI Summit and expressed confidence that its outcomes will contribute meaningfully to shaping global AI governance, while supporting India-Spain collaboration to harness the potential of AI for inclusive development and social benefit.“They reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation to fight terrorism,” an official text said, adding that both prime ministers hailed the India-EU FTA as a major milestone that would help unlock huge trade and investment potential.Modi is expected to meet the leaders of the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Slovak Republic and Liechtenstein in the next two days.For India, a strong European presence was essential for a successful AI summit, as Europe remains a hub for cutting-edge AI innovation, digital governance and responsible AI frameworks.Government officials have noted that the EU plays a prominent role in setting global norms with AI and is the first bloc globally to enact comprehensive AI legislation. While France is playing a key role in AI governance and applications and the UK hosted the first AI Summit in 2023, the Netherlands and Belgium host critical organizations in the semiconductor supply chain such as ASML and IMEC respectively.India working closely with European countries to expand AI-led growth: Official | Page 14While Germany is Europe’s leading semiconductor hub, sources said Estonia is also a global leader in artificial intelligence, ranking sixth globally for AI startups. “India is working closely with several European countries to learn from each other and expand AI-led growth and development,” an official said.Modi and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for doubling bilateral trade and greater technology cooperation, including co-development of quantum and 6G, renewables, circular economy and defence, as they agreed that the India-EU FTA would act as a catalyst for shared progress and prosperity. In his meeting with Modi, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also called for speedy implementation of the India-FTA to boost bilateral trade.“In recent diplomatic engagements, Europe has cast an unequivocal vote on the vitality of the India-Europe strategic partnership, anchored on AI, digital innovation, strategic cooperation, economic growth and shared global priorities,” said an official.India working closely with European countries to expand AI-led growth: official While Germany is Europe’s leading semiconductor hub, sources said Estonia is also a global leader in artificial intelligence, ranking sixth globally for AI startups. “India is working closely with several European countries to learn from each other and expand AI-led growth and development,” an official said. Modi and Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for doubling bilateral trade and greater technology cooperation, including co-development of quantum and 6G, renewables, circular economy and defence, as they agreed that the India-EU FTA would act as a catalyst for shared progress and prosperity. In his meeting with Modi, Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic also called for speedy implementation of the India-FTA to boost bilateral trade. “In recent diplomatic engagements, Europe has cast an unequivocal vote on the vitality of the India-Europe strategic partnership, anchored on AI, digital innovation, strategic cooperation, economic growth and shared global priorities,” said an official.
