New Delhi, March 2 : Welcoming Mr. Morten Løkkegaard, Member of the European Parliament and Chair of Relations with India, at Parliament House today, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla said that the European Union is a natural partner of India. He observed that, it is a partnership between the most vibrant democracies, the largest open market economies and pluralistic societies.
He said that India attaches great importance to its multifaceted strategic partnership with the European Union based on shared democratic values, rule of law and fundamental freedoms. Shri Birla expressed happiness that India shares common views on many regional and global issues including effective multilateralism, climate change, clean energy, sustainable development, rule based international order.
Noting that India is the largest functioning and most vibrant democracy in the world, Shri Birla said that our Parliament is the center of faith and aspirations of our 140 crore citizens.
He stressed that India-EU share a common belief in parliamentary democracy. So, we need to further enhance mutual parliamentary exchanges in the future. He expressed confidence that EU-India decision to resume talks for trade and investment augurs well for the whole world.
Welcoming the decision of the European Union to cooperate in the Indo-Pacific region, Shri Birla said that this further strengthens the inclusive approach of our country regarding the Indo-Pacific that all the countries falling under this region should be part of this region. Apart from countries, all those countries are also included which have no interest in this area. He further said that India believes that a “Strategic EU” in the Indo-Pacific region will help in ensuring stability in the region.
Shri Birla told Mr. Morten Løkkegaard that the Indian Parliament is keen to welcome the EU Parliamentary Delegation to India.
