At Davos, world leaders hail EU’s FTA with India; shun ‘protectionism, isolationism’ | India News

The world is carefully watching the Free Trade Agreement to be signed between India and the European Union. European leaders now say the era of protectionism and isolation is over, with EU leaders calling the agreement the ‘mother of all agreements’ and adding that a defense deal is also on the agenda.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said that this period offers opportunities for countries that benefit from the FTA. “In a few days, the EU Commissioner will go to India to agree on the principles of the free trade agreement. I was in India a week ago. This period offers opportunities for countries that benefit from free trade instead of protectionism and isolationism,” Merz said.

Finnish President Alex Stubb also praised the free trade agreement signed by Europe with India, describing it as the ‘right geopolitical thing’.

While discussing Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney’s speech that shook the US, JP Morgan chief Jamie Dimon said America is doing some things that may not be good for it in the long run. “Canadian Prime Minister Carney was in China and now he’s going to India,” Dimon said, implying that the United States does not like alienating these nations.

Speaking at the WEF, Carney said it was a mistake for any country to miss India, China, MERCOSUR and the EU. “This is not managing your relationships properly. You need a network of connections,” he said.

In particular, many experts and even US Congressional leaders have criticized Trump for pushing India towards Russia and China with biased tariffs.

External Affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar on Thursday interacted with Ambassadors of EU countries and spoke to them about the current situation of the world with volatility and instability as the new normal.

Sharing the details of the meeting on HADR, anti-piracy operations, development projects, etc. Reassure the international community by providing public goods such as: and stabilize the global order through stronger trade, mobility and security partnerships.

India and the EU plan to open a new page as strategic partners. EU leadership will be in India for Republic Day and the 16th EU-India Summit on 27 January, advancing cooperation for people’s well-being and global stability.