Von der Leyen weighs up India’s options between Europe, Russia alliances
New Delhi, Apr 25 (EFE).- Ursula von der Leyen on Monday promoted a raft of strategic and development opportunities should India maintain its close ties with the European Union during an address that comes at a time New Delhi is facing international pressure to distance itself from Moscow.
The European Commission chief, who is on a two-day visit to India, spoke at the Raisina Dialogue conference on geopolitics following a meeting with Indian prime minister Narendra Modi.
“Ladies and gentlemen, this is a defining moment,” von der Leyen said.
“Our decisions in these days will shape decades to come. Our response to Russia’s aggression today will decide the future of both the international system and the global economy. Will heinous devastation win or humanity prevail?”
The changing international postures toward Russia is a sensitive topic for India, which has so far decided to remain neutral on the war and has boosted its purchases of Russian oil.
India is also heavily reliant on Russia for military materials.
The EU chief framed the position within the context of China, India’s regional rival.
“If we consider what it means for Europe and Asia that Russia and China have forced a seemingly unrestrained pact, they have declared that the friendship between them has no limits and that there are no forbidden areas of cooperation. This was in February this year, then the invasion of Ukraine followed,” she said. EFE
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