14th Dec, Hindu editorial

This editorial is about the outcomes of the 11th India-EU summit held last week at Brussels

  • This is the 1st summit to be held after the Lisbon treaty
  • The Lisbon treaty aims to raise EU influence in global affairs.
  • EU is eager to expand its relationship with India beyond trade to political and strategic spheres
  • EU is one of India’s biggest trade partner with bilateral trade reaching upto 70 billion pound last year. FTA will help it touch 100 billion pounds

  • However there are a few irritants in FTA negotiation. They are
  • EU’s insistence on sustainable development which encompasses strict adherence to human rights, labour rights and environmental concerns
  • Dispute over Intellectual Property Rights related to generic Indian medicines
  • Free movement of Indian professionals
  • TOPICS DISCUSSED AT SUMMIT
  • Cooperation on counter terrorism
  • Af-pak situation
  • Non proliferation
  • Disarmament
  • Climate change
  • Role of G20
  • Cooperation in development of peaceful nuclear energy

for info on Lisbon treaty :  http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/6901353.stm