Europe and India are important trading partners. Things could get even better with a free trade agreement. Habeck sees an important hurdle here.
According to the Federal Minister of Economics, agriculture is part of the free trade talks between the EU and China Robert Habeck the most difficult area. During a visit to the Indian capital New Delhi, he pointed out the importance of agriculture for India: around 60 percent of people work there, in some regions even 80 percent – while in Germany it is only 2 percent. If India were to completely open its market, this would cause considerable upheaval for the country, explained the Green politician.
Habeck therefore advocated a limited agreement that would not have to cover all areas of economic life. He suggested initially only covering the industrial sector.
At the same time, Habeck committed to cooperation with India, including on arms issues. The country is an important buyer of German military equipment. Trusted partners proved difficult, but we still had to work on open markets and deepen partnerships.
But Habeck also emphasized: “For me, the question of arms exports is completely separate from this strategic question of how to work together.” India has sourced all of its military goods from Russia in the past and now wants to expand its position. “And since India doesn’t live in a completely peaceful region, it needs weapons for self-defense, including submarines,” said Habeck. “And if we don’t want Russia to always just supply them and for this dependence to grow ever greater or for the relationship between the two to be permanently strengthened, then we have to act accordingly.”
The chairman of the so-called Asia-Pacific Conference of the Germans BusinessRoland Busch, pointed out the economic importance of the region. By 2050, they would account for up to 50 percent of global economic output, around 60 percent of the world’s population would then live there – and around 50 percent of global CO2 emissions would arise there. Growth rates of 6, 7 or 8 percent are expected for the next few years. Important areas are the production of semiconductors, pharmaceutical chemicals as well as green and high technology. He expressed hope for progress in the long-term negotiations for an EU-India trade agreement.
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