Paper: GS – II, Subject: International Relations, Topic: India’s relations with great powers, Issue: India-E.U. relations and emergence of a new axis.
Context:
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar’s visit to Europe reflects a growing India-Europe engagement as part of a new axis amid shifting global geopolitics, the rise of Asian powers, and weakening multilateralism.
Key Highlights:
Geopolitical Context:
- Erosion of Western-led multilateralism.
- Decline in US leadership under Trump.
- Brexit-related instability.
- Russia-Ukraine war and its effects on NATO-EU ties.
- Europe’s reliance on strategic autonomy as US focus shifts to Indo-Pacific.
Europe’s Strategic Challenges:
- Rising internal discord: immigration, economy, identity.
- Geopolitical strains: Ukraine war, Chinese assertiveness.
India-Europe Strategic Synergy:
- Co-anchoring: India and Europe can co-anchor a multipolar world order.
- Commonalities: Both seek stability, inclusive growth, peace, and resilient global supply chains.
- Shared concerns: terrorism, technology standards, climate change, and energy security.
- India’s importance: Europe acknowledges India’s strategic value amidst China’s rise, assertive Russia, and unreliable US foreign policy.
Bilateral & Multilateral Cooperation:
Trade & Investment:
- EU-India trade exceeded $127 billion in 2022, with India’s exports to EU up 47%.
- FDI stock grew by 373% (2015–2023) with the growth higher than with US, China, Taiwan.
- Need to finalise EU-India FTA & investment pacts with the upcoming IMEC (India-Middle East-Europe Corridor) as a boost.
Sectoral Cooperation:
- Areas of cooperation: Tech, semiconductors, clean energy, AI.
- Shared values: Rule of law, sustainability, human rights.
India’s Global Posture:
- Balancing power: India now acts as a balancing power amidst major blocs.
- Reliable partner: A reliable partner in crisis and resilience.
- Leadership: A leader in digital public infrastructure, space, and climate innovation.
Way ahead:
- Finalise pending EU-India trade & tech agreements.
- Promote clean energy (IMEC), resilient supply chains and Health, biodiversity, climate innovation.
- Promote student-researcher mobility, science & technology cooperation.
Conclusion:
- “Great powers believe they can bend the world to their will but often cause chaos. Middle powers need to leverage partnerships…” can be the guiding mantra for India-E.U. relationship.
- India-EU cooperation represents stability in turbulent times. Shared democratic values and geopolitical concerns make them natural allies in shaping a multipolar order.
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