The EU said India’s growing relations with Russia were a major obstacle to finalising a long-awaited free trade agreement even as Brussels unveiled a new “strategic agenda” for deepening cooperation with New Delhi in defence, technology and global security.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the initiative marked a new phase in relations with the South Asian country. “Now is the time to double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values. With our new EU-India strategy, we are taking our relationship to the next level,” she said.
