India, EU together can protect rules-based order

India and the European Union can together act as “strong providers of stability, protectability and reliability” on the international stage and protect the rules-based order ata time of growing geo-economic turbulence and unpredictability in trade, European Council President Antonio Costa said on Monday.

- Rezaul H Laskar

Inan exclusive interview with HT, shortly after participating in the Republic Day celebrations along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and ahead of the India-EU Summit on Tuesday, Costa said the growing India-EU security and defence cooperation is crucial for preserving security in the Indo-Pacific and ensuring free and open commerce between the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic. Edited excerpts:

The EU has described India as an “indispensable” partner. Is the India-EU relationship prepared for the challenges of the contemporary world, and will the summit on Tuesday reflect the respective and shared challenges of the two sides?

This invitation to me and [European Commission] President Ursula] von der Leyen tobe chief guests in this memorable Republic Day is an honour. Tomorrow, in the 16th India-EU ‘Summit, [think we will deliver on a trade agreement, on security and defence cooperation and on mobility.

In our multi-polar world, it’s essential that the EU and India become closer partners because we can together be strong providers of stability, protectability and reliability in international relations and protect our international rules-based order.

Our trade agreement, I think, is avery important geopolitical st biliser and a showcase of how it's possible to protect international rules-based trade.

Inaddition to creatinga huge market and opening up access, how will the FTA stabilise things for both sides, especially at a time of growing protectionism and geo-economic unpredictability?