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India, EU to have strategic ties: Sinha
H S Rao in London |
October 28, 2003 23:45 IST
India and the European Union will sign memoranda of understanding at their summit in New Delhi on November 29, External Affairs Minister Yashwant Sinha said on Tuesday.
Following his talks with EU Commissioner for External Relations Chris Patten in Brussels in the afternoon, Sinha said the memoranda would include one on national indicative programme involving €160 million, a scholarship programme worth €30 million and a customs cooperation agreement.
"Clearly the feeling in EU is that their relations with India is strategic and they are keen that this should progress in the years to come not merely in the field of trade and investment, but it should have a political dimension," he said.
During his meeting with Patten and earlier with Javier Solana, high representative of the council of the EU, Sinha discussed many issues including Afghanistan, Sri Lanka.
They also exchanged views on the United Nations, global terrorism, Iraq and West Asia.
"There was great welcome and appreciation for India's recent peace initiative with Pakistan and they hoped Pakistan will respond positively," Sinha said.