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Remarks by Minister of State for External Affairs, Dr. Rajkumar Ranjan Singh at the India – EU Connectivity Conference

June 02, 2023

Hon’ble Chief Minister of Meghalaya, Shri Conrad Sangma ji
Mr. Koen Doons, Director General, Directorate General for International Partnerships, European Commission
Shri Santosh Jha, Ambassador of India to European Union
Mr. Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of EU to India
Ladies & Gentlemen,


I am happy to be here today on the inauguration of the India – EU Connectivity Conference.

India has recognized the importance of connectivity as both the driver and an outcome of economic growth, and has laid strong emphasis on improving connectivity across digital, physical, energy and human dimensions.

Better connectivity helps in boosting trade, attracting greater investments, as well as in bringing down business transaction costs and time. It also leads to structural reforms, increased movement of skilled professionals, development of Global Value Chains (GVCs), enhancement of the role of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and reduction of various disparities.

Particular focus has also been placed on the North Eastern Region of India in lieu of its centrality in connecting India to its neighboring Countries. India’s foreign policy priorities, reflected in its ‘Act East’ and ‘Neighbourhood First’ policies, also bring the northeast into focus as a connectivity gateway to the wider Indo-Pacific.

Sagarmala Programme’ (port-led development to bring down logistics cost for local and foreign trade), ‘Bharatmala Pariyojana’ (road development), UDAN - Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS)’ (affordable air travel through better regional air connectivity), ‘Ujjwal Discom Assurance Yojana (UDAY)’ (helping in the operational and financial turnaround of Power Distribution Companies), various Industrial Corridors and Dedicated Freight Corridors, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (quality all-weather road connectivity to uncollected habitations to help alleviate poverty) and Jal Marg Vikas Project (inland waterways) are some of the few illustrious examples of connectivity initiatives brought about by this Government.

India has also taken its connectivity projects to its neighbours giving a fillip to better people – people and trade ties. India currently operates Maitri, Mitali and Bandhan Express between India and Bangladesh, and work is underway for more linkages, including Agartala and Akhaura is expected to be operationalized later this year. India has also developed Rail and road connectivity networks with Nepal and energy links with Nepal and Bangladesh. These are just some of the few examples.

Digital connectivity with our neighbors include the India – Bangladesh Internet link which would improve the internet quality in North eastern states of India by commissioning international bandwidth for internet connectivity through Cox’s Bazar in southeast Bangladesh India is also energetically rolling out its Digital Public Infrastructure which is revolutionizing everyday life by wide adoption of DPI for public service delivery in India. India’s DPIs have also been looked upon as a model by countries in the Global South. We are keen to partner with our neighbours on roll out of DPI and work with our development partners to take DPI globally. I am glad that the recent India- EU Trade and Technology Council have taken upon itself this task.

India and EU share a common approach to connectivity based on universally recognized international norms, good governance, rule of law, openness, transparency and equality, and must be pursued in a manner that respects sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Promotion of a comprehensive, rules-based, sustainable, inclusive, equitable and transparent approach to connectivity is at the core of the India-European Union (EU) Connectivity Partnership which was launched during the India – EU Leaders’ meet in May 2021.

We also agree that Connectivity initiatives must follow principles of financial responsibility to avoid projects that would create unsustainable debt burden for communities; balanced ecological and environmental protection and preservation standards; transparent assessment of project costs; and skill and technology transfer to help long term running and maintenance of the assets.

A number of European companies have invested in connectivity-related sectors in India including Energy, Digital, IT services, Transport, ports and shipping. The European Investment Bank and European Bank for Reconstruction and Development have, in the past few years, expanded their lending to include infrastructural and connectivity initiatives. India is a now a globally established development partner not only for the global south but is also working with developed north. India is doing Development Partnership projects in 78 countries, having 600 projects. 60% of those are completed while the rest are under various stages of progress.

India’s Triangular Development Cooperation brings together three partners in a mutually beneficial cooperation. A beneficiary partner that generates the demand support to tackle a specific development challenge; a Pivotal partner with proved experience in tackling the issue and shares resources & expertise; and a facilitating partner which connects the other and also provides financial and technical support.

In that regard, EU and many of its member states have forged partnerships with India in triangular constructs to implement solutions in many other Developing countries. The India – UK Global Innovation Partnership, to facilitate the transfer and scale up of sustainable climate-smart innovations from India to select developing countries. India-Germany Triangular Development Cooperation, to jointly design and implement projects for furthering the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and related climate goals in third beneficiary countries, India-France- Indo-Pacific Trilateral Development Cooperation Fund, to support India-based innovators and start-ups in taking their innovations to third countries, are some examples.

In implementing such projects in the Developing Countries, the EU can find in India a partner who understands these countries and their realities better due to similar socio – economic conditions. Such understanding becomes valuable in creating sustainable projects.

I sincerely believe that we have made the right start today and this conference would unearth significant opportunities for our future cooperation.

Thank You

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