India values her multi-faceted partnership with EU: PM Modi

The Republic of India was represented by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The EU was represented by Donald Tusk, President of the European Council, and Jean Claude Juncker, President of the European Commission.

Speaking at the summit, Modi said that, "India values her multi-faceted partnership with the EU, and we attach high importance to our strategic partnership. India was amongst the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community in 1962."

He said that the European Union has been india's largest trade partner for a long time. It is also one of India's largest sources of Foreign Direct Investment.

"As the world’s largest democracies, we are natural partners. Our close relations are founded on the shared values of democracy, rule of law, respect for fundamental freedoms and multiculturalism," said the Indian PM.

"We also share the vision of a multi-polar, rules-based international order. Since the 13th Summit in Brussels last year, our relationship has steadily gained momentum. To use the words of President Juncker a few days ago, India-European Union relations today have a good wind in their sails!," said he.

Modi said that his government has expanded the India-EU engagement into many new sectors and "have agreed that we must continue our efforts to make it more comprehensive and beneficial, based on mutual trust and understanding."

"Today, we have reviewed the progress in implementation of the decisions taken at our last Summit, and the Agenda 2020 announced last year.," said PM Modi.

Modi said that during the summit, the leaders have agreed to strengthen security cooperation and work together against terrorism.

"We will not only further strengthen our bilateral cooperation on this issue, but will also increase our cooperation and coordination in multilateral fora," said he.

On Clean Energy and Climate Change, Modi said that, "We are both committed to the 2015 Paris Agreement. Addressing climate change and promoting secure, affordable and sustainable supplies of energy are our shared priorities. We also reaffirmed our commitment to undertake mutual cooperation for reducing the cost of deployment of renewable energy."

He also informed that India will cooperate with European Union in developing Smart Cities and upgrading urban infrastructure.

"I am pleased that the India-EU Horizontal Civil Aviation Agreement has now been operationalized. I am confident that this will enhance air connectivity between us and help to foster people-to-people contact," said he.

The Indian PM said that an important aspect of the relationship is cooperation in Science and Technology, and in Research and Innovation.

"In this context, I welcome the Agreement concluded today on mobility of young scientists and researchers," said he.

"The signing of loan agreements for development projects in India with the European Investment Bank is also a welcome step," he added.