New Delhi, May 8: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday held a virtual meeting with the heads of state or government of all the 27 European Union member states with a focus on expanding overall cooperation in areas of trade, investment and connectivity.
The leaders also exchanged views on the COVID-19 and healthcare cooperation. The India-EU leaders’ meeting is hosted by Prime Minister of Portugal Antonio Costa. Portugal currently holds the Presidency of the Council of the European Union. “We are opening a new chapter in #EUIndia strategic partnership at the meeting of EU Leaders with PM @narendramodi,” tweeted Charles Michel, President of the European Council.
He said the two sides are launching negotiations on three agreements — trade, investment and geographical indications. Modi was scheduled to visit Portugal for the leaders’ meeting but it was called off, with both sides later deciding to hold the deliberations virtually.
A strategically important grouping, the EU as a whole was India’s largest trading partner in 2018. India’s bilateral trade with the EU in 2018-19 stood at USD 115.6 billion with exports valued at USD 57.17 billion and imports worth USD 58.42 billion. (PTI)
