Prime Minister Narendra Modi Tuesday spoke to President of the European Council Antonio Costa and they discussed the possibility of holding the India-EU summit later this year. A PMO statement said, “Prime Minister Modi received a telephone call today from Antonio Costa, President of the European Council. PM congratulated President Costa on his assumption of charge as the President of the European Council.” Costa is a Portuguese leader of Indian-origin. “Noting the substantive progress made in India-EU Strategic Partnership over the past decade, the two leaders agreed to work closely together towards further bolstering the ties, including in the areas of trade, technology, investment, green energy and digital space,” the statement said. They underlined the need for conclusion of a beneficial India-EU FTA and looked forward to the next India-EU Summit to be held in India at a mutually convenient time, it said. “They exchanged views on regional and global developments of mutual interest,” it said. Modi posted on X, “Pleased to speak with President @antoniolscosta. India and the EU are natural partners. We are committed to working closely together to further strengthen the India-EU Strategic Partnership, including in the areas of technology, green energy, digital space, trade and investments.” Costa too said, “It was a pleasure to talk again with my long time friend, India PM @narendramodi. We've known each other since 2017, when he invited me to Pravasi Bharatiya Divas. India is one of our main global partners. It is time to boost our relations and to engage in a new strategic agenda. Looking forward to the EU-India summit later this year.” “In our call, we addressed shared concerns, focusing on security, international law, and ways to collaborate in tackling geopolitical challenges in #Europe and in #Asia,” he said.
