MAKING the EU-India strategic partnership “a defining force for the world” will be a key focus for Herve Delphin, the newly-appointed envoy of the European Union.
Delphin said on Monday (23) the EU’s partnership with India is one of the most significant relationships for the group.
Delphins remarks came after presenting his credentials to India’s president, Droupadi Murmu, at an official ceremony.
Delphin said boosting economic opportunities, ensuring resilient supply chains and promoting faster green and digital transition will be the focus of his efforts in India.
“The strategic partnership with India is one of the most significant relationships developed by the European Union on the global stage,” Delphin said.
“It is an honour for me to represent the EU in India and contribute to make EU-India a defining force for the world of today and tomorrow,” Delphin added.
India and the EU and India are “trusted partners and friends”, with strong bilateral cooperation, he said. “Over the years, our strategic ties have both broadened and deepened based on shared goals and interests - on trade, trusted technology, security, green and clean energy technologies, sustainability, security and defence and more.
“We have an ambitious agenda to bring this partnership to a new level. My mission is to contribute to turn this into a reality for the mutual benefit of Europe, India, our companies and our people,” Delphin said.
With a career spanning 30 years with the EU, Delphin is a specialist in foreign policy and international relations.
Prior to his posting in India, he was heading policy planning at the European Diplomatic Service, EEAS, where he also served as the acting director of strategic communications and foresight.
The EU is India’s second-largest trading partner, accounting for €120 billion (£104bn) worth of trade in goods in 2022 or 10.8 per cent of the total Indian trade.
India is the EU’s 10thlargest trading partner, accounting for two per cent of the group’s total trade in goods. Trade in services between the EU and India reached more than €45bn (£39bn) in 2022.
The EU as a whole is also one of the largest investors in India.
