India and the European Union unveiled a five-year roadmap to further strengthen their broad-based strategic partnership, and decided to set up a high-level dialogue to address “trade irritants” to boost economic ties between the two sides.

Addressing the virtual summit, PM Narendra Modi described India and the EU as “natural partners”. The EU delegation was headed by European Council president Charles Michel and European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen.

Highlights of the 15th summit

* The leaders decided to strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership. They will bolster their cooperation in international fora to reinforce international security, strengthen preparedness and response for global health emergencies, enhance global economic stability and inclusive growth, implement the Sustainable Development Goals and protect the climate and the environment. 

* Adopted the ‘India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025’ to guide cooperation between India and the EU over the next five years. 

* Adopted a joint declaration on moving towards a more circular economic model that provides for reduction in primary resource consumption and enhances the use of secondary raw materials. Under the new framework of circular economic model, the two sides vowed to strengthen ongoing cooperation by exchanging regulatory and standardisation approaches, management systems, best practices and joint research in the field of resource efficiency, energy efficiency and circular economy.

* Signed the India-EURATOM agreement on research and development cooperation in the peaceful uses of nuclear energy.

* Reaffirmed their commitment to the implementation of the Paris Agreement including with regard to nationally determined contributions in line with this agreement.

* Will strengthen the India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership agreed at the 2016 Summit and prepare and implement a new work programme.

* Agreed to launch a dialogue on maritime security and consultations on security and defence, and to enhance naval cooperation. They underlined the need to preserve safety and stability in the Indian Ocean. 

* The launch of negotiations on a working arrangement between the Central Bureau of Investigation and Europol to support law enforcement authorities of India and the Member States of the EU in preventing and combating organised crime and terrorism.

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