‘Europe has to learn from India’s experience in fighting terrorism’

Geoffrey Van Orden, a Member of European Parliament (MEP) from the UK and also the chair of the European delegation for relations with India, will be in India on March 16-18. During the visit, he and other MEPs will meet India’s trade minister, deputy national security adviser and other officials to discuss several issues, he told a group of visiting Indian journalists at the European parliament building in Brussels. Edited excerpts:

How do you look at the recent political changes in India?

I was previously the chairman of the Europe-India Chamber of Commerce and in that capacity I attended Vibrant Gujarat and met Prime Minister Modi, who was then Chief Minister of Gujarat.

It was very clear from years ago that he was a coming man and he really got Gujarat on the move.

It’s a very important time and Modi, I think, is a very impressive character, very committed to India’s economic development. He knows that if you don’t get your economy right, you don’t have the resources to do other things. He wants to open up India for more private investment.

And of course he’s come forward with this policy of Make in India. We need to see how it fits into the whole scheme of things. He’s very business friendly. And he’s indicated that he really welcomes foreign investment. That’s the most important thing from a European perspective.

What are the main goals of the European parliamentary delegation’s India visit?

The aim of the delegation is to familiarise the MEPs with the current scene in India in the light of the new government. We will be focussing on improving relationship between the members of the Lok Sabha and the MEPs.

We will be talking to the trade minister and others and also representatives of European companies to see what more needs to be done to take forward the business and trade aspects.

We will also discuss security issues. Modi has made special efforts to generate good relationship with regional neighbours.

How do you see the free trade agreement (FTA) talks moving forward under the Modi government?

I think there’s enough for everybody in FTA. Look, the market is growing. You have increasing prosperity in India. You have a growing aspirational middle class.

FTA is the next step in strengthening trade and economic cooperation. We need to find a pragmatic solution to the contentious issues that are holding back FTA. I am hopeful the issues will be sorted out. I think Modi is a man who gets things done.

What are the issues you plan to raise when you meet the deputy national security advisor?

From our point of view, we are interested in both the external and internal aspects. I hope we have a shared interest in tackling external security issues. India has also experienced terrorism, and has been fighting it for years. And, of course, there are internal security threats. Some are long standing, which have been very difficult to deal with.

What are the broader areas of security cooperation between India and the EU?

We have something to learn from the Indian experience in fighting Islamic extremism. India has first hand knowledge in dealing with the issue. We would also welcome a broader Indian commitment to fighting terrorism internationally.

Other areas of cooperation would be anti-piracy operations and ensuring maritime security in South China Sea, which India has also made one of its priorities. Securing the trade route coming from Asia to Europe is our common interest.

(The writer was in Brussels on an invitation from the European Commission.)

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