Remarks by High Representative/Vice-President Kallas on the New Strategic EU-India Agenda and on the package of proposals on Israel

Good afternoon,

Before updating you on the college meeting, I would also like to focus on one key issue, which is in recent weeks, Russia has escalated its war against Ukraine thrown incursions into Poland and Romania signalling more a dangerous stage of this war.  

Russia is testing the West. Should Putin sense any weakness, he will continue to push forward because he wants to test us. Europe must respond firmly. As President von der Leyen said yesterday, the Commission will soon present its 19th sanctions package. We must hit Russian banks, energy companies, crypto exchanges and shadow fleet ships harder. Depriving Moscow of the funds to wage a war is essential to end this conflict.

Today in the College, we also addressed the war in Gaza, Israeli government's push into Gaza City is a new escalation of the war and will further deepen the humanitarian crisis. Today, I presented a robust package of sanctions on Hamas terrorists, extremist ministers in the Israeli government and violent settlers and entities supporting the impunity going on in the West Bank.  

The Commission adopted a proposal to partially suspend trade concessions. Commissioner Šefčovič will update you on the trade details in a minute, and I want to be very clear: the aim is not to punish Israel. The aim is to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza. All Member States agree that the situation in Gaza is untenable. The war needs to end. The suffering must stop, and all hostages must be released. We must use all the tools we have towards this outcome. We must also not lose sight of the dangerous developments in the West Bank that reduce the viability of a two-state solution.  

Then, on EU India relations, we have adopted a new EU-India strategy. India is a crucial partner for the European Union. The EU and India together account for 25% of the global population and GDP. India also is the world's largest democracy and is the fastest growing economy. Closer European Union-India, relations are vital for strengthening economic security and diversifying supply chains. Our new communication sets out possibilities for closer cooperation on trade, technology, security and defence, and climate. A Free Trade Agreement, an Investment Protection Agreement and a Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement can be pillars of this partnership.  

Security and Defence is another backbone of this partnership. We are working towards EU-India Security and Defence Partnership. We will enhance cooperation, including maritime security, counter terrorism and cyber defence. We are also negotiating an agreement of exchange of classified information and deepening ties between defence industry. 

However, also the College had hesitations were the areas that we have disagreement. India's participation in Russia's military exercises and its purchase of Russian oil stand in the way of closer ties. Because, ultimately, our partnership is not only about trade, but also about defending rules-based international order. Our negotiations will address these challenges with the aim of adopting a joint roadmap at the EU-India Summit in early 2026.

Finally, on Iran earlier today, we had a discussion with the Foreign Minister Araghchi, alongside with my European counterparts. The window for finding a diplomatic solution on Iran's nuclear issue is closing really fast; we are weeks away from the reimposition of international sanctions. Iran must show credible steps towards addressing the demands of France, UK and Germany, and this means demonstrating full cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency and allowing inspections of all nuclear sites without delay.  

Thank you.