EU-India - Trade Commissioner Mandelson to visit India

EU Trade Commissioner Peter Mandelson will travel to India this week for meetings with Indian leaders, trade officials and industry representatives. The visit will be the first to India by a member of the new Barroso Commission. Commissioner Mandelson will deliver a keynote speech to the Confederation of Indian Industry in which he will he will welcome India's rise as a global trading power and urge it to play a leading role in working for an ambitious agreement in the Doha Development Agenda.

Speaking before his departure Mr. Mandelson said: "India is a second China in the impact it will have on the world economy. It is making giant steps towards becoming a world economic power, yet remains full of untapped potential. Europe wants to build a new strategic partnership with this new India. Both must live up to the responsibilities of leadership, not least by paving the way for agreement on the completion of the Doha Development Round. The EU and India have a common interest in promoting a more open trading system, reinforcing the need for further internal reform, and actively helping the poor and vulnerable to adjust."

Mr. Mandelson will meet with Prime Minister Dr. Manmhohan Singh, Indian Commerce Minister Mr. Kamal Nath and Chief Minister of West Bengal Mr. Buddhadeb Bhattacharya.

Mr. Mandelson's keynote address at the Confederation of Indian Industry Partnership Summit will be on Thursday 13 January. In his speech, the Commissioner will emphasise the importance of stronger ties between India and Europe through the new Strategic Partnership agreed at the EU-India Summit in 2004. He will note that India ranks alongside China as one of the world's fasting growing economies and call on India to produce strong offers to open access to markets for goods and services in the Doha round.

In talks with Indian officials and industry representatives, the Commissioner will raise the question of increasing investment by EU companies in India through more transparent regulation and greater legal certainty for EU investors. For example, the Commission would like to see India ensure a level playing field for mobile communications by adopting international standards. He will also seek measures to improve intellectual property protection for EU companies in India.

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• India-EU Strategic Partnership Joint Action Plan (7/9/2005)