The Hindu : International / India & World : Natwar visit gives thrust to Euro-Indian dialogue

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Sep 16, 2004

International

International - India & World

Natwar visit gives thrust to Euro-Indian dialogue

By Batuk Gathani

BRUSSELS, SEPT. 15. The External Affairs Minister, Natwar Singh, today concluded his visit to the European Commission here. He had a dinner with Zavier Solana, High Representative of the European Council and the European Union's pan-European Foreign and Defence policy co-coordinator.

Mr. Singh's visit has aroused wider expectations on current political, strategic and economic relationship between India and the European Union. The Euro-Indian dialogue will receive special importance at the proposed E.U.-India Summit at The Hague in Holland on October 14.

The summit will be hosted by Holland, which is holding the six-monthly rotating Presidency of the European Union. The Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, will attend the summit.

Mr. Natwar Singh's two-day visit here is seen "paving the way" for successful outcome of the summit at which new parameters of the India-E.U. "Strategic Dialogue" will be defined and agreed upon. The E. U. is India's second largest trading and investment partner after the United States.

Commission pleased

Mr. Natwar Singh called on Chris Patten, Commissioner (Minister) for External Relations. Mr. Patten highlighted the European Union's ambition to put their relations with India at a "higher strategic level" and stated that the European Commission was pleased with the "very positive and constructive" Indian response to the European Commission's communication entitled "An E.U.-India Strategic Partnership."

Mr. Patten referred to the "huge scope" for further development of trade and investment between India and the European Union. The Indian observers note that current trade and investment flows have substantially increased and trade could cross the Euro 30 billion mark, accounting for nearly 30 per cent of India's imports and exports.

Mr. Singh also met Bennita Waldner, Foreign Minister of Austria, who is set to be Commissioner External Affairs-designate of the European Commission in November 2004. Mr. Barroso, the former Prime Minister of Portugal, is to take over the Presidency of the European Commission from Romano Prodi on November 2 for a five-year term.

Strategic interest

Mr. Singh also met Bernard Bot, Dutch Foreign Minister, in connection with the E.U.-India Summit.

Although, now a great deal of European business, political and strategic interest is focussed on China, India is viewed as the world's largest secular, multi-party democracy which has made great strides in development of Information Technology, engineering and science.

India's business and investment acumen is also widely admired in the European establishment.

According to the World Bank report this week, India made "the most progress among the South Asian nations in improving its investment climate last year and is now rated among the top 10 reformers in the world."

The report also notes: "Despite positive reforms, India still ranks in the bottom quartile on the ease of doing businesses." The European business and investment community also share this perception.

European Union officials also displayed a keen interest in India's relations with its neighbours — China and Pakistan particularly.

Officials impressed

European officials were briefed by Mr. Singh on the current political and strategic developments in Nepal and progress of India's negotiations with Pakistan on peaceful coexistence.

The European business and investment sectors are also impressed with India's familiarity with the English language and strict adherence to democratic and transparent ways of its legal, banking and accounting systems, which paves way for a faster and larger investment and trade flows on both sides of the Indo-European fence.

Mr. Natwar Singh left for India this morning.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

International