India-EU sync can guard rules-based order: Costa

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

- Rezaul H Laskar

Costa, who was the chief guest at the Republic Day celebrations along with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and will participate in the India-EU Summit on Tuesday, said in an exclusive interview with HT that the growing security and defence cooperation between the two sides is crucial for preserving security in the Indo-Pacific and ensuring free and open commerce between the Indo-Pacific and the Atlantic.

The India-EU Summit is expected to witness the conclusion of negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) and the finalisation of a Security and Defence Partnership and a framework agreement to facilitate mobility for Indian students and professionals.