Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India will include talks on preventing the transfer of restricted technologies to Russia and addressing high tariffs in ongoing trade negotiations. India’s role as a significant supplier of dual-use items to Russia complicates matters amid geopolitical tensions, underscoring the necessity for closer EU-India cooperation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is scheduled to visit India starting Thursday, where she intends to address the issue of preventing restricted technologies from nations like India from reaching Russia, in contravention of imposed sanctions. Kimmo Lähdevirta, Finland’s ambassador to New Delhi, emphasized that Indian companies must refrain from supplying Russia with dual-use items, noting that this is part of being a responsible nation in light of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

In addition to sanctions discussions, von der Leyen and EU officials will engage with their Indian counterparts on enhancing market access and addressing high tariffs on various goods, including automobiles and wine, that India imposes. These dialogues are part of a broader framework for negotiating a free trade agreement, which has reignited after a nine-year hiatus since 2012.

Reports indicate that India has become the second-largest supplier of dual-use materials to Russia, only behind China, complicating efforts to restrict such supplies to the Russian war effort. Meetings between EU and Indian sanctions representatives occurred in October to deliberate on strategies to curtail these dual-use materials.

Russia remains a significant trading ally for India, historically serving as a primary provider of weapons and crude oil. New Delhi has not publicly condemned Russia’s actions concerning Ukraine; rather, it advocates for dialogue and diplomatic solutions to the conflict. Indian officials assert that the country complies with United Nations sanctions and actively advises companies about export controls without noting any violations.

The potential for a trade agreement with the EU faces external pressures, notably from U.S. President Donald Trump’s threats to impose tariffs on various nations. Following a summit earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi returned to India with concerns regarding upcoming tariffs on exports and calls for increased purchase of American goods. Lähdevirta remarked on the necessity for India and the EU to strengthen their cooperation as geopolitical dynamics have significantly shifted since a decade ago.

In summary, the upcoming visit of Ursula von der Leyen to India aims to address critical sanctions concerns regarding the flow of restricted technologies to Russia. The discussions will also focus on advancing the trade relationship between the EU and India amid existing high tariff barriers. Moreover, the evolving geopolitical landscape necessitates enhanced collaboration between India and the EU as they navigate trade negotiations and sanctions compliance together.

Original Source: www.business-standard.com

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