This was the third India-EU strategic partnership review

India and the European Union on Tuesday reviewed their strategic partnership in Brussels and exchanged their views on issues related to climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution and their respective contribution towards the success of COP26 meet in Glasgow in the UK..

Both sides also discussed next steps to operationalise the decision of Indian and EU leaders to resume negotiations for a balanced, ambitious, comprehensive and mutually beneficial trade agreement and launch negotiations on a stand-alone investment protection agreement and on a separate agreement on geographical indications, the MEA said in a statement.

India and the EU also exchanged views concerning best ways to join forces in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on economies, societies as well as individuals.

During the review meeting, both sides also discussed the next steps on the implementation of the India-EU Connectivity Partnership which was agreed at the May 2021 Leaders’ Meeting.

India and the EU also discussed ways to further cooperate in the areas of research, technology and digital transformation, as well as continued implementation of the Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility, the MEA maintained.

Recalling the successful 9th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue in April 2021, India and the EU looked forward to the next edition of the Dialogue in 2022.

The meeting was co-chaired by Reenat Sandhu, Secretary (West), Ministry of External Affairs and Helena König, Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues, European External Action Service, the MEA added.