Finland’s President Alexander Stubb and Prime Minister Narendra Modi held a telephonic conversation on Wednesday, focusing on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict and deepening India’s relations with the European Union.
PM Modi said he had a “good conversation” over telephone with the Finnish President.
“Finland is a valued partner in the EU. We discussed ways to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as trade, technology and sustainability. Also exchanged perspectives on the ongoing efforts for peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine,” the prime minister posted on X.
Stubb echoed the sentiment, stressing that both sides agreed on the urgent need for a “just and lasting solution” to the war. “Ending the war is in all our interests, it’s a shared goal. India plays an important role. It is heard and respected in the South, West and East. We also agreed on the need to further deepen the relations between India and the EU. Our cooperation grows and continues,” he wrote.
The telephonic exchange comes at a time when India is expanding its economic footprint with European partners.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced earlier that the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — will come into effect from October 1.
The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed in March 2024, secures a $100 billion investment commitment from EFTA over 15 years, with $50 billion expected in the first decade and the remaining in the following five years.
The pact is projected to create one million direct jobs in India, while also opening Indian markets to several European goods such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds at reduced or zero tariffs.
Meanwhile, the conversation also comes at a time when Kyiv has underscored the importance of India’s role in ending the prolonged conflict with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Modi for his greetings on Ukraine’s Independence Day on Tuesday, stressing that “we count on India’s contribution” towards securing peace.
He said Ukraine appreciates New Delhi’s commitment to peace and dialogue, noting that every decision strengthening diplomacy contributes to global security, from Europe to the Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Modi, in a letter to Zelenskyy dated August 24, reiterated that India has “always stood on the side of peace” and remains committed to supporting “sincere efforts seeking an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.”
PM Modi said he had a “good conversation” over telephone with the Finnish President.
“Finland is a valued partner in the EU. We discussed ways to deepen cooperation in key sectors such as trade, technology and sustainability. Also exchanged perspectives on the ongoing efforts for peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine,” the prime minister posted on X.
Stubb echoed the sentiment, stressing that both sides agreed on the urgent need for a “just and lasting solution” to the war. “Ending the war is in all our interests, it’s a shared goal. India plays an important role. It is heard and respected in the South, West and East. We also agreed on the need to further deepen the relations between India and the EU. Our cooperation grows and continues,” he wrote.
The telephonic exchange comes at a time when India is expanding its economic footprint with European partners.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced earlier that the Free Trade Agreement between India and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) — comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland — will come into effect from October 1.
The Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), signed in March 2024, secures a $100 billion investment commitment from EFTA over 15 years, with $50 billion expected in the first decade and the remaining in the following five years.
The pact is projected to create one million direct jobs in India, while also opening Indian markets to several European goods such as Swiss watches, chocolates, and cut and polished diamonds at reduced or zero tariffs.
Meanwhile, the conversation also comes at a time when Kyiv has underscored the importance of India’s role in ending the prolonged conflict with Russia. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Modi for his greetings on Ukraine’s Independence Day on Tuesday, stressing that “we count on India’s contribution” towards securing peace.
He said Ukraine appreciates New Delhi’s commitment to peace and dialogue, noting that every decision strengthening diplomacy contributes to global security, from Europe to the Indo-Pacific.
Prime Minister Modi, in a letter to Zelenskyy dated August 24, reiterated that India has “always stood on the side of peace” and remains committed to supporting “sincere efforts seeking an early, abiding and peaceful resolution of the conflict through dialogue and diplomacy.”
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