Europe, India and MODI: One year on

Narendra Modi’s first year as India’s Prime Minister has shown a decisive and charismatic leader, and his relentless promotion of new agendas has put India back on investors’ maps.

“Modi has been shaking up India, as well as world perceptions of India”, said Shada Islam, Director of Policy at Friends of Europe, introducing the Policy Insight.

However, the full potential of India-EU trade and investment cooperation remains largely untapped, demanding a fresh effort to boost relations.
Among the initiatives launched by Modi’s administration, “Digital India’ has the potential to make a huge impact”, said Natarajan Chandrasekaran, CEO and Managing Director of Tata Consultancy Services (TSC), adding that the programme could create enhanced participation and inclusiveness across India.
Pointing to the commonalities with the EU’s Digital Single Market, Zoran Stančič, Deputy Director-General for the European Commission’s DG Connect, said that “in addition to exploring bilateral cooperation, India and the EU must find ways to build stronger partnerships in multi-lateral fora for the internet governance transition to create a global digital economy based on common values”.