Both sides exchange views on cyber policies, strategies and areas of mutual interest
India and the EU have discussed cooperation in promoting capacity building in cyberspace and combating the criminal use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs), the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) said on Thursday (October 5, 2023).
 
This, and a wide range of related issues, were taken up for intensive discussions at the Seventh India-EU Cyber Dialogue held in Brussels.
 
"Both sides exchanged views on cyber policies, strategies and areas of mutual interest. They discussed cyber cooperation in multilateral fora, including at the United Nations, and in regional settings, including at OSCE, ARF and G20," the MEA said.
 
In the context of the vibrant Strategic Partnership between India and the EU, the two sides expressed appreciation for the Cyber Dialogue mechanism as it provides a platform to discuss a wide range of issues related to cyberspace, the MEA added. 
 
The Indian Delegation was led by Joint Secretary, Cyber Diplomacy Division, MEA Muanpuii Saiawi, while the EU delegation was led by Director Security and Defence, European External Action Service Ambassador Joanneke Balfoort. Both sides agreed to hold the next India-EU Cyber Dialogue on a mutually convenient date.
 
India and the European Union share a vibrant Strategic Partnership which has been witnessing strong growth with wider and deeper co-operation in Political and Strategic, Trade and Commerce, Climate and Sustainability, Digital and Technology aspects as well as people-to-people ties.
 
Earlier this year, India and the EU announced the establishment of three Working Groups under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and their Terms of Reference. The working groups, announced on February 6, 2023, are:

1. Working Group on Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance and Digital Connectivity: Chaired by Secretary, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.

2. Working Group on Green & Clean Energy Technologies: Chaired by Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India.

3. Working Group on Trade, Investment & Resilient Value Chains: Chaired by Secretary, Department of Commerce.
 
The TTC is a strategic coordination mechanism that will allow both partners to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security, and thus deepen cooperation in these fields between India and the EU, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) had said.
 
The TTC with India is only the second such Council for the EU and the first such mechanism for India. The council was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen during the latter’s visit to India in April 2022.