EU leaders back early trade pact, AI cooperation in meetings with Modi

New Delhi: After hosting French President Emmanuel Macron in Mumbai, PM Modi held bilateral meetings on Wednesday with leaders of Spain, Finland, Estonia, Croatia and Serbia, looking to further deepen cooperation in technology, innovation, security and defence with Europe, which is participating in strength in the ongoing 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 the official talks, EU leaders/members conveyed their unanimous support for early implementation of the India-EU FTA. They are also learned to have pledged support for its early ratification in the European Council and European Parliament.


"They are all keen to enhance trading ties with India taking advantage of the FTA, creating new opportunities and jobs for people," said a govt source.

At Modi's meeting with Spainish PM Pedro Sanchez, the two endorsed ongoing defence cooperation, welcoming progress in Tata-Airbus collaboration for C-295 transport aircraft final assembly line in Vadodara and stressing the importance of defence industrial collaboration based on co-development and co-production. Sanchez highlighted the importance of the AI Summit and expressed confidence that its outcomes would contribute meaningfully to shaping global AI governance, while backing closer India-Spain cooperation to leverage AI's potential for inclusive development and societal benefit.

"They reiterated their strong condemnation of terrorism in all its forms and manifestations and emphasised the need for strengthened international cooperation to combat terrorism," said a govt readout, adding that both PMs hailed the India-EU FTA as a major milestone that would help unlock immense trade and investment potential.

Modiis expected to meet leaders from the Netherlands, Switzerland, Greece, Slovak Republic and Liechtenstein over the next two days.

For India, a solid European presence was the essential ingredient for a successful AI summit, as Europe remains a hub of cutting-edge AI innovation, digital governance and responsible AI frameworks.

Govt officials pointed out that EU plays a prominent role in setting global norms, including for AI, and is also the first bloc globally to enact comprehensive AI legislation. While France is playing a key role in AI governance and applications and UK had organised the first AI summit in 2023, the Netherlands and Belgium host critical companies in the semiconductor supply chain like ASML and IMEC, respectively.

India working closely with European nations to expand AI-led growth: Official | page 14
While Germany is Europe's leading semiconductor hub, the sources said Estonia, too, is a global leader in artificial intelligence, ranking sixth worldwide for AI startups. "India is working closely with several European countries to learn from one another and expand AI-led growth and development," said an official.

Modi and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for doubling bilateral trade and greater technology collaboration, including in co-development of quantum and 6G, renewables, circular economy and defence, as they agreed that India-EU FTA will serve as a catalyst for shared progress and prosperity. In his meeting with Modi, Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic, too, called for early implementation of India-FTA to boost bilateral trade.

"In recent diplomatic engagements, Europe has expressed an unambiguous vote of confidence in the vitality of India-Europe Strategic Partnership, anchored in AI, digital innovation, strategic cooperation, economic growth and shared global priorities," said an official.

India working closely with European nations to expand AI-led growth: Official
While Germany is Europe's leading semiconductor hub, the sources said Estonia, too, is a global leader in artificial intelligence, ranking sixth worldwide for AI startups. "India is working closely with several European countries to learn from one another and expand AI-led growth and development," said an official.

Modi and Finland Prime Minister Petteri Orpo called for doubling bilateral trade and greater technology collaboration, including in co-development of quantum and 6G, renewables, circular economy and defence, as they agreed that India-EU FTA will serve as a catalyst for shared progress and prosperity. In his meeting with Modi, Croatian PM Andrej Plenkovic, too, called for early implementation of India-FTA to boost bilateral trade.

"In recent diplomatic engagements, Europe has expressed an unambiguous vote of confidence in the vitality of India-Europe Strategic Partnership, anchored in AI, digital innovation, strategic cooperation, economic growth and shared global priorities," said an official.

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