Washington :The United States and the European Union recently held discussions on the strategic importance of engaging with India to address global challenges, particularly in the areas of maritime security, energy, and connectivity in the Indo-Pacific region. The dialogue took place during the two-day 'US-EU Dialogue on China' and the sixth meeting of the 'US-EU High-Level Consultations on the Indo-Pacific' on September 9 and 10.
The talks were led by US Deputy Secretary of State Kurt Campbell and European External Action Service (EEAS) Secretary General Stefano Sannino. According to a joint statement issued on September 11, both sides acknowledged India's critical role in addressing security and connectivity issues in the Indo-Pacific, with a focus on the maritime domain. They also discussed ongoing support for the Indian Ocean Region, including assistance for Small Island Developing States (SIDS) and engagement with the Indian Ocean Rim Association (IORA).
The dialogue also included a review of recent developments in Bangladesh, reflecting the shared commitment to regional stability.
In addition to their focus on the Indo-Pacific, the US and EU expressed concerns about China's support for Russia, particularly its supply of dual-use goods and assistance to Russia’s military efforts in Ukraine. Both sides called on China to adhere to international law, respect Ukraine’s sovereignty, and play a responsible role as a Permanent Member of the UN Security Council. Any peace proposal concerning Ukraine, they stated, must be based on the principles of the UN Charter, including respect for territorial integrity.
The US and EU also discussed the challenges posed by China’s non-market policies and practices, reaffirming their commitment to free and fair trade. They emphasized the need for balanced economic relations with China, pledging to reduce dependencies in strategic sectors and address economic coercion. The importance of advancing governance in critical and emerging technologies was also highlighted.
Human rights concerns were a key point of discussion, with both sides addressing China’s treatment of Tibetans and Uyghurs in Xinjiang. They urged China to cooperate with the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) and to implement the recommendations from the OHCHR’s report on human rights abuses in Xinjiang.
The meeting concluded with a call for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Both the US and EU expressed opposition to any unilateral actions to change the status quo in Taiwan by force and reiterated their support for Taiwan's meaningful participation in international organizations.
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