An EU statement after the Brussels meeting noted that “the human rights situation continues to deteriorate—especially for women and girls—prompting strong calls for a united international response”. Notably, the EU stopped short of outright condemnation of the Taliban, signalling a potentially softer stance
There were concerns that India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the EU’s cautious and ambivalent approach to the Kashmir issue could undermine their strategic partnership. However, amid evolving and complex global security challenges, pragmatism and mutual interests have ultimately prevailed.
Because of the increasing competition from other major trading blocs, the 27-member European bloc finds itself compelled to expedite FTA negotiations to secure favorable terms and strengthen its strategic and economic ties with India as soon as possible.
South Asia’s media is at a crossroads, where its democratic function as a watchdog is at odds with its struggle for financial viability. While the ever-expanding digiverse continues to offer immense opportunities for journalism and its potential to expose corruption and human rights violations as well as challenge mainstream and official…
Free trade agreements are not mere documents to be rushed through for headlines. Their consequences are far-reaching — impacting farmers, workers, businesses, and consumers on both continents. Each clause carries weight. Every concession can ripple across entire sectors. Responsible negotiation demands painstaking attention to detail,…
According to EU figures, 8,975 Indians filed for asylum applications across the EU in 2023. This figure fell to 8,676 in 2024. A total of 40,385 citizens from Bangladesh applied for asylum in the year 2023, which increased to 42, 236 in 2024. The EU figures did not mention the grounds for those seeking asylum from India or Bangladesh.
Diamonds remain a cornerstone of the Belgo-Indian economic relationship, but in recent years strong growth has been visible in various other sectors. The port city of Antwerp is considered to be the international centre of diamond trade which is dominated by Indian diamond traders mainly from Gujarat.
The transatlantic alliance, considered to be a pillar of geopolitical stability, now faces an uncertain future and the realism that Europe can no longer depend on its security on the US has begun to creep in the minds of policymakers in Brussels.
Noting that the talks were held unusually on a weekend in the Belgian capital, Indian minister Goyal said this only goes to demonstrate the importance the European Union and India place on this partnership.
The Brussels-based think tank Egmont Institute, in a policy brief in April, said individual EU member States attach a lot of importance to their bilateral relationship with New Delhi and are interacting with the Indian government at the highest level. “However, visits of the leaders of the EU institutions to India are rare. One fails to see a…
