"Will strengthen ties," Finland President lauds India-EU FTA
Helsinki, January 28
President of Finland, Alexander Stubb on Wednesday said that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement will strengthen India's ties with the EU.
In a post on X, he said, "Thank you very much, Prime Minister. This agreement will further strengthen our economic and political ties with India."
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, paid a State Visit to India on 25-27 January as the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day of India.
In the joint statement, it was said that the two sides will further strengthen collaboration on emerging technologies, innovation, and research, including by creating EU-India Innovation Hubs and launching an EU-India Startup Partnership.
The leaders welcomed the renewal of the India-EU Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation until 2030 and agreed to launch exploratory talks on the association of India to Horizon Europe, the EU's research and innovation programme. They welcomed the productive discussions at the inaugural India-EU Space Dialogue in Brussels in November 2025.
The leaders recognised the increasing incidents of extreme climate events and reaffirmed the importance of the Paris Agreement, the successive Conference of the Parties' (COP) outcomes, and respective Nationally Determined Contributions.
They agreed to cooperate closely for their effective implementation and to join forces to raise global action, including by holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.
They reaffirmed the importance of the principles of equity, and common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in the light of different national circumstances. They commended the International Solar Alliance's (ISA) efforts to provide energy access and install large-scale solar energy capacities in developing countries.
— ANI
Reader Comments
As someone working in the renewable energy sector, I'm very pleased to see the strong focus on climate cooperation and the mention of the International Solar Alliance. Global problems need global partnerships.
Good step, but I hope our negotiators ensure a balanced deal. We need access to their markets for our goods and services, but must also protect our farmers and small industries. The principle of 'common but differentiated responsibilities' on climate is crucial for us.
Association with Horizon Europe could be a game-changer for our research institutions and universities. More collaboration in science and tech is always welcome. Let's hope the talks are fruitful!
The space dialogue is an underrated part of this. India's space program has made incredible strides. Partnering with the EU could accelerate advancements in satellite tech and earth observation, which is vital for climate monitoring.
While the strategic partnership is positive, I sincerely hope the final agreement addresses non-tariff barriers and standards that often hinder our exports. The devil is in the details. A fair deal is more important than a quick deal.
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.