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EU reacts positively to Jaswant's overtures

Ranvir Nayar in Paris

The European Commission has reacted enthusiastically to the decision of External Affairs Minister Jaswant Singh to visit Brussels to meet new EC Commissioner Chris Patten, who will direct the external relations policy of the new European Commission.

Singh announced he would stop over in Brussels on his way back to New Delhi from New York, where he will represent the country in the special session of the United Nations General Assembly. Singh will be in Brussels on September 30. He will meet Chris Patten, and he is expected to meet some other commissioners as well.

For the European Commission, Singh's visit is extremely significant as this is for the first time that an Indian cabinet minister, except for the Union commerce minister, has visited the Commission. Another more significant implication lies in the timing of the visit. By choosing to visit Brussels on his way back from Brussels, Singh is conveying a very strong message to the Europeans, who have received it and appreciate it.

"This is perhaps the first recognition of the importance of the European Commission as a political entity. It is a very symbolic step that India has taken by making it a point to welcome the new commission," a senior EC official told rediff.com in Brussels recently.

Though the agenda for the meeting is yet to be finalised, the two leaders are expected to touch upon many issues, including India's signing and ratifying of the Comprehensive Test Ban Treaty, the upcoming Seattle round of the World Trade Organisation and a number of bilateral issues, especially the one regarding the broadening of India's relationship with the EU.

"Singh has for long been an advocate of the growing need for India to take up economic diplomacy. We believe he will use the opportunity to discuss growing economic ties between India and the European Union," an official said.

Singh is also expected to brief Patten about the situation after the Kargil conflict and to emphasise how India responsibly handled the sensitive issue. He will also discuss the implications for the future of India and how the international community views India and its newly-acquired nuclear muscle.

This visit is crucial for India, because Patten, an old Asia hand, will be very keen to promote closer ties between the EU and Asia. Patten has limited options to look for in Asia, because of the open animosity that Chinese leadership has displayed towards Patten during his term as governor of Hong Kong before the British handed over the colony to the Chinese in 1997.

Patten is also believed to be looking for closer ties with India. And, going by that, this meeting could prove to be a turning point in the development of bilateral relations.

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