European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and external affairs minister S Jaishankar on Thursday focused on ways to firm up the long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) and boost cooperation in a slew of areas, including high technology and climate change.It is understood that the two sides discussed how to achieve "concrete" forward movement in Friday's meeting in a number of critical areas, including trade, high-tech, clean energy and people-to-people ties. "Pleased to call on @EU Commission President @vonderleyen today in Delhi. Appreciate her thoughts on reenergising India's engagement with Europe. The wide ranging participation of Indian ministers and EU College of Commissioners during this visit stands testimony to the importance we place on deeper India-EU ties," Jaishankar wrote on X."In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I'll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level," she said in a post on X.The two sides at Friday's meeting hope to firm up a new strategic agenda at a time Europe is looking at de-risking its relations with China. A joint statement is expected to be released following Modi and Von der Leyen talks.The two leaders are expected to deliberate on the FTA as we need to produce a mutually-beneficial deal at the earliest, an official said. On the issue of the EU looking at pressing India to bring down tariffs on cars, wine and agricultural products, the official said New Delhi too has certain expectations from the bloc.Read more at:https://economictimes.indiatimes.com//news/economy/foreign-trade/india-eu-discuss-ways-to-clinch-fta-hitech-climate-also-in-focus/articleshow/118610108.cms?utm_source=contentofinterest&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=cppst (ICE MUMBAI)

Fonte notizia: The Economic Times