India, EU agree to strengthen security cooperation

India and the European Union agreed to strengthen security cooperation during a meeting between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Federica Mogherini, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, here on Friday.

"Prime Minister Modi and Mogherini discussed regional and global developments of mutual interest," the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.

"The Prime Minister and Mogherini agreed on the need to strengthen the security cooperation between India and EU, particularly on the issue of counter-terrorism," it stated.

Modi recalled his visit to Brussels in March 2016 for the 13th India-EU Summit, and said that he was looking forward to the next India-EU Summit to be held in India in October 2017.

Earlier in the day, Mogherini, who is on an official visit to India, also met External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj and Minister of State for External Affairs M.J. Akbar.

According to a statement issued by the Delegation of the European Union here, during the course of Friday's meetings,

the two sides discussed in depth a broad range of issues of common interest.

It said that the EU and India "are natural partners, they share fundamental values of democracy and diversity, economic interests and robust trade relations, common security challenges, a direct interest in the stabilisation of many fragile areas, from the Korean Peninsula to Afghanistan".

"The EU and India expressed their common interest and commitment to strengthen their cooperation on the world stage, both bilaterally and in multilateral fora, on common priorities such as multilateralism, climate change, sustainable development, free and fair trade, security and defence - notably on maritime security - and counter-terrorism," the EU statement said.

The two sides also agreed to take stock of progress made on decisions taken at last year's summit in Brussels, to deepen cooperation in foreign policy, security and defence, trade, investments, climate change, water, new and renewable energy, environment, ICT, space, research and technology, urbanisation, and to strengthen people-to-people contacts, including student exchanges.

During her visit, Mogherini opened the EU@60 Treaty of Rome Exhibition at the Italian Institute of Culture. This year EU celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Treaties of Rome, which paved the way for the formation of the bloc.

--IANS

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