Brussels, 23/01/2001 (Agence Europe) - The visit by Chris Patten, External Affairs Commissioner, to India from 25 to 29 January, should allow ties between the EU and this country to be strengthened. Mr Patten will engage Indian ministers on a broad range of subjects of common interest, including enhanced economic cooperation, extension of dialogue between the EU and India to the actors of civil society, and the main political and diplomatic issues facing this part of the world.
Coming in the wake of the "strategic partnership" recommended during the first EU/India Summit, in June 2000, in Lisbon, the aim of the visit will mainly be to convince India it must show proof of greater economic openness. Discussions between Mr Patten and India's ministers for foreign affairs, the interior and trade and industry, however, will not be restricted to trade and economic cooperation aspects. Mr Patten will launch with Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh an EU/India Round Table with a view to establishing a permanent discussion forum between actors of the civil society, in order to fully exploit the potential provided by the links and similarities between the two countries (multi-lingualism, democracy, multi-denominational society, etc.). The key political problems facing the region will also be tackled. These include relations between New Delhi and Pakistan (including the refusal to sign the nuclear non-proliferation treaty) and China. Finally, during his visit, Mr Patten is expected to announce the EU's intention to grant aid of EUR 200 million in favour of primary education in India.