With a focus on a 'balanced, ambitious' FTA pact, European sources called the resumption of FTA talks a 'breakthrough'. Portugal is the President of the Council of the European Union and the virtual India-EU Leaders meet is being hosted by Portugal PM António Costa. Also read Chinese aggressiveness discussed at India-EU SummitA release by the Ministry of External Affairs said, "The India-EU Leaders' Meeting is an unprecedented opportunity for discussion with all the leaders of the EU Member States. It is a significant political milestone and will further build on the momentum witnessed in the relationship since the 15th India-EU Summit in July 2020." "We respect India as a secular democracy and human rights part of the political dialogue between India and EU," said European government sources.

Source: dna May 07, 2021 12:00 UTC