Page 21 - European Union

Schengen, work visas for Europe still tough for Indians: Experts weigh in

Recently, an Indian entrepreneur shared an image of his nearly 400-page visa application, triggering fresh debate

US could be on losing side in the test of wills with China: Claude Smadja

There are limits to India-EU FTA, EU lobbies want protection, don't think will meet the timeline

India will retaliate if EU enforces carbon tax on exports: Piyush Goyal

India will impose retaliatory duties if the European Union goes ahead with its plan to levy a carbon tax on Indian products, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal said on Tuesday. Under the EU's Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), Indian exports of steel, aluminum, and cement to the EU could face tariffs of 20-35 per cent. He said that gradually the talks about climate is dwindling and termed the CBAM as "very very irrational regulations". The minister asserted that the developed countries should share technologies and and finances to developing and least developing nations to deal with the issues related to climate change. "If they will put in carbon tax, and now there is a big if for obvious reasons. If they do put it in, we will retaliate. They will put it on products which really will hurt their own economy and the retaliation will further hurt their economy," Goyal said here at an function. "I think it will be very silly particularly to put tax on friendly countr

EU to set out plan for phasing out Russian gas deals, existing contracts

The EU has a non-binding aim to end its reliance on Russian fossil fuels by 2027, which it set after Moscow's 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine

Between Trump tariffs and China charm, EU rethinks trade strategy

As Beijing offers investment incentives and Trump threatens tariffs, the EU walks a diplomatic tightrope to protect its economic interests on both fronts

European Union open to resolving tech trade dispute with India at WTO

The longstanding dispute centres on India's imposition of tariffs on information and communication technology (ICT) goods

Pahalgam terror attack: EU urges India, Pakistan to show restraint

The European Union (EU) on Friday called on New Delhi and Islamabad to show "restraint" and pursue dialogue to defuse tensions amid speculation about India's possible retaliation against Pakistan in view of the cross-border linkages to the Pahalgam terror attack. Following separate phone conversations with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and Pakistan's Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas said the rising tensions between the two neighbouring countries are "alarming" and the escalation of the situation helps "no one". "Rising tensions between India and Pakistan are alarming. I urge both sides to show restraint and pursue dialogue to ease the situation. Escalation helps no one," she said in a post on X. "I spoke to both @DrSJaishankar and @MishaqDar50 today to convey these messages," she added. On his part, Jaishankar welcomed the EU's "strong condemnation" of terrorism in all forms and manifestations. "Good to speak with EU

India stresses focus on non-tariff barriers, import duty in EU trade talks

India has emphasised that resolving non-tariff barriers faced by businesses is as important as addressing import duty issues for meaningful progress in talks on the proposed free trade agreement with the European Union (EU), an official statement said on Friday. The progress of the talks was discussed during the meeting between Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and European Commissioner for Trade and Economic Security Maros Sefcovic in Brussels. Both leaders also reaffirmed their shared resolve to conclude the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025. "India emphasised that meaningful progress in trade negotiations requires an equal focus on Non-tariff Barriers (NTBs) alongside tariff (import duty) discussions and regulatory frameworks must be inclusive, proportionate, and avoid restricting trade," the commerce ministry said. The country has earlier on multiple occasions flagged NTBs being faced by domestic industry in the European Union markets

US warning against EU tech fines casts shadow over India's digital Bill

Group representing American tech industry calls proposed Indian legislation as a trade barrier

SS Innovations lists on Nasdaq; shares trade under 'SSII' ticker

The trading commences on April 25, with the company's shares listed under the ticker symbol 'SSII'

Dow reports first-quarter loss, expands review of European assets

In January, Dow said it would reduce global headcount by 1,500 as part of a cost-saving plan due to lackluster demand and margin pressures

AltStore brings emulator for Nintendo Switch games to iPhone, iPad in EU

The emulator to play Nintendo Switch games on iPhone and iPad is available through AltStore, which is a third-party app store available for Apple devices sold only in the European Union

IIFT to start course on trade negotiations soon: Commerce Secy

The Commerce Ministry's Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT) will "very" soon start a course on negotiations, as this is an important skill set required in areas like free trade agreements, a top government official said on Saturday. Commerce Secretary Sunil Barthwal also said that Abhijit Das-authored "Strategies in GATT and WTO Negotiations" book can be a starting textbook in the Center for WTO Studies and IIFT. While releasing Das's book, he said there was previously no publication that provided a comprehensive perspective on trade negotiations. "When we look at these issues in the Department of Commerce, we always felt that there is a need for a negotiation course, which IIFT will be starting very soon," the secretary said. With the increasing number of free trade agreements, negotiating skills are going to be key in the coming days as it involves officials from different departments. India is negotiating several agreements including with the US, the UK, Oman, Australia, Pe

Italy's Meloni to test her role as EU-US bridge in talks with Trump

Italian Premier Giorgia Meloni will test her mettle as a bridge between the EU and the United States when she meets with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Thursday, the first European leader to have a face-to-face with Trump since he announced, and then suspended, 20% tariffs on European exports. Meloni secured the meeting at a critical juncture in the trade war as Italy's leader, but she also has, in a sense, been knighted to represent the European Union. She has been in close contact with EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen ahead of the trip, and "the outreach is closely coordinated," a commission spokeswoman said this week. We know we are in a difficult moment," Meloni said this week in Rome. "Most certainly, I am well aware of what I represent, and what I am defending." The European Union is defending what it calls the most important commercial relationship in the world,' with annual trade reaching 1.6 trillion euros (USD 1.8 trillion). Trade negotiation

Trade and Trump: Time to counter tariffs with global cooperation

Mr Trump thrives on uncertainty; he likes to keep the world agog, guessing what comes next

India to expand trade ties with nations offering fair FTAs: Piyush Goyal

India will expand its trade ties with nations that will offer fair, balanced and equitable free trade agreements (FTAs), Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal said on Wednesday, stressing that the country's gains must match its offer of accessing a 1.4 billion-strong, and fast-growing consumer market. He said that India is negotiating FTAs with different countries and regions, including the European Union (EU) and Oman. The remarks also assume significance as India is negotiating a bilateral trade agreement with the US. The aim is to finalise the first phase of the pact by the fall (September-October) this year. "So we will be expanding our trading relations with countries where we get a fair deal, where we can have equitable and balanced free trade agreements, where India's gains commensurate with what we are offering, a large market of 1.4 billion people, growing market, the world's fastest growing economy," he said here at India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) Conclave ...

EU pledges $1.8 bn aid package to Palestinian Authority to rebuild Gaza

The European Union on Monday unveiled a financial aid package of up to 1.6 billion euros (USD 1.8 billion) to support the beleaguered Palestinian Authority and fund projects in the West Bank, Jerusalem and war-ravaged Gaza. The offer came as Israel expanded its offensive across Gaza over the weekend. More than a third of the money, to be provided over two years, will come as direct budget support to the Palestinian Authority and it's aimed at improving financial sustainability, democratic governance and services to help the private sector develop. Our programme aims to support the Palestinian people in building a sustainable future," said EU Mediterranean Commissioner Dubravka uica. It's about the governing capacity. It's about advancing economic recovery. It's about strengthening the resilience of the private sector. Speaking to reporters after talks in Luxembourg with Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa, she said "a well-functioning and reformed Palestinian Authority must

Russia claims attack on Ukraine's Sumy was supposed to target troops

Russia on Monday claimed its deadly missile attack on Ukraine's Sumy that killed and wounded scores including children had targeted a gathering of Ukrainian troops, while European leaders condemned the attack as a war crime. Ukrainian officials have said two ballistic missiles on Palm Sunday morning hit the heart of Sumy, a city about 30 kilometres from Ukraine's border with Russia, killing at least 34, including two children, and wounding 119. It was the second large-scale attack to claim civilian lives in Ukraine in just over a week. Asked about the attack, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia's military only strikes military targets. Russia's Defense Ministry said the strike targeted a gathering of senior military officers and accused Kyiv of using civilians as shields by holding military meetings in the city's centre. The ministry claimed to kill over 60 troops. Russia gave no evidence to back its claims. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has called for a global ..

Goyal likely to visit Europe this month to boost trade, investment ties

Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal is likely to visit two European countries later this month with an aim to further boost trade and investment ties, an official has said. The minister is expected to lead a business delegation to these countries, the official said. The visit assumes significance as India signed a comprehensive free trade agreement with the four European nation bloc EFTA in March last year. It is expected to be implemented this year. The European Free Trade Association (EFTA) members are Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland. The two sides signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) on March 10, 2024. Under the pact, India has received an investment commitment of USD 100 billion in 15 years from the grouping while allowing several products such as Swiss watches, chocolates and cut and polished diamonds at lower or zero duties. India has set up a dedicated platform EFTA desk to promote trade, investment, and business facilitation .

Hungarian Oppn leader tells supporters he will restore Western alliances

The leader of Hungary's largest opposition party on Sunday told thousands of supporters that he would guide his country out of its international isolation if he defeats Prime Minister Viktor Orbn in elections scheduled for next year. Pter Magyar, the leader of the Respect and Freedom (Tisza) party, represents the most serious challenge to Orbn's power since the right-wing populist leader took power in 2010. Recent polling suggests that Tisza has overtaken Orbn's Fidesz party as Hungary struggles with a stagnating economy and has been politically sidelined in the European Union over Orbn's policies. Speaking at a rally in Budapest on Sunday, Magyar said that, if elected, he and his party would restore Hungary's relationships and reputation among its allies that have suffered as Orbn has attacked the European Union and pursued close relationships with autocracies like Russia and China. We will finally put our common affairs in order, Magyar said. "Our homeland, Hungary, will once agai