India-EU ties in counter-terrorism, energy, space

New Delhi, May 30 (UNI) Underlining the importance of strategic partnership with the European Union, India today said it would make efforts to move into new areas of cooperation such as energy, space, science and technology and counter-terrorism.

Addressing a conference of India's Heads of Missions in EU States in Brussels, External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee said the EU was India's largest trade partner.

''The EU is also the source of one-fifth of India's FDI as well as an important destination for Indian investment,'' he said and added that the strategic partnership was underpinned by an extensive joint action programme adopted in 2005.

Pointing out that the next Summit was expected to be held in New Delhi later this year, Mr Mukherjee said: ''Our effort is to increasingly move beyond trade and economic relationship into areas such as science and technology, counter terrorism, new energy and renewable energy technologies, space, and environment.'' He said negotiations were also expected to begin shortly on a wide-ranging Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU.

According to External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Navtej Sarna, the Heads of Missions briefed Mr Mukherjee on all aspects of the Indo-EU strategic partnership, principal issues of bilateral relations between India and countries of their accreditation as well as important developments in Europe, the EU and NATO.

The day-long conference was attended by 21 Heads of Missions.

UNI