India and the European Union are to hold leadership-level meeting on May 8 in a virtual format

Prime Minister Narendra Modi had a phone call on Monday with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and exchanged views on prevailing COVID-19 situation in India and the EU.

According to the Ministry of External Affairs, both leaders noted that the India-EU Strategic Partnership was witnessing renewed momentum since the last Summit in July.

They agreed that the forthcoming India-EU Leaders’ Meeting on May 8, 2021 in virtual format was an important opportunity to provide renewed momentum to the already multi-faceted India-EU relationship.

The India-EU Leaders’ Meeting will be the first meeting in the EU+27 format and reflects the shared ambition of both sides for further strengthening the India-EU Strategic Partnership.

During the meeting, PM Modi also expressed his appreciation of the EU and its Member States for mobilizing quick support for India’s fight against the second wave of COVID-19.

After the meeting, PM Modi said in a tweet, “Spoke to President of the EU Commission @vonderleyen and thanked EU for support and assistance to India’s COVID response. We discussed India-EU Leaders’ Meeting on 8 May. I am confident that the Meeting will provide a new momentum to our Strategic Partnership.”

Meanwhile, expressing the solidarity of Europe with India, EC President Leyen said, “Good call with Prime Minister @narendramodi in preparation of the EU-India Summit:Team Europe stands in deep solidarity with our democratic partner India. We are providing rapid support and are delivering assistance to fight COVID19.”

https://twitter.com/vonderleyen/status/1389135480327970816

“There is clear momentum to strengthen our strategic relations on trade, digital, climate change & multilateralism. I'm encouraged by the prospect of intensifying our trade & investment relations. This would tap into a huge potential to the benefit of our businesses & citizens,” she said in a subsequent tweet.