ECR MEP Geert Bourgeois spoke enthusiastically after his Initiative Report that calls on the EU to improve and deepen the strategic relationship with India was adopted by the Committee on International Trade with an overwhelming majority.

“We are sending a positive signal to the negotiating table: The EU urgently needs to conclude new trade and investment agreements. Now more than ever, it’s crucial to strengthen our open strategic autonomy by diversifying our supply lines if we want to secure our prosperity and create additional jobs”, Mr Bourgeois said.

“We cannot afford to ignore huge emerging economies like India as we explore new opportunities for our businesses around the world”, he addded.

Today’s vote marks a broad majority in favour of the Commission’s current negotiating mandate in plenary. Europarliamentarians are already setting the course for negotiations with India on three separate agreements starting at the end of this month.