How do you view this victory of Narendra Modi and BJP? And how will this affect the Indian economy?
We want India to do well. These elections guaranteed political stability for the next five years. A decisive guide would means more difficult decisions and good governance is not possible without difficult decisions. The NDA, led by the BJP, has a clear mandate to make bold and innovative decisions. International politics is not a zero-sum game, and while India would engage other forces economically, the EU has the potential to boost growth in India. The EU is already the bloc’s largest trading partner and is India’s largest source of FDI as a bloc. We stand ready to meet India’s technology and fund needs.
You spoke to Modi when he was Gujarat’s chief minister. How do you assess him as a leader of modern India?
As Portugal’s former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, I have been in contact with various leaders around the world, and I can say that Mr Modi is one of the best. He has clarity of thought and a clear vision of governance, and that is what India requires. He also has a very clear understanding of the challenges facing the country. He is a good listener as well as a good speaker and can participate in enriching discussions. No prime minister would want to have public strife in his record, and I am sure he will not allow any public tensions in India. His priority is to stimulate the economy, and he is focused on that.
Where to India-EU relations am i leaving here What are the priority areas for India-EU and what is the future? Free Trade Agreement this has been negotiated for many years?
Negotiators from India and the European Union are working to conclude the FTA. The proposed agreement will lead to greater openness. In the past, the EU has held discussions with the BJP on the FTA. We accept Mr Modi’s speech on economic issues on 27 February as positive. I have no doubt that the FTA will benefit India. We hope that there will be progress in the FTA before the next India-EU summit in Brussels.
