On the second day of the European Parliament’s plenary session in Strasbourg, a discussion took place on the European Union’s new strategic cooperation program with India. PiS MEP Małgorzata Gosiewska participated in the debate.
“We are discussing the European Union’s new strategy toward India—a country that, on the one hand, is an economic and technological powerhouse, but on the other, pursues policies that run counter to the values on which, at least in theory, the European Union is based,” said Małgorzata Gosiewska.
She noted that in 2022, India became one of the main buyers of Russian oil, thereby enabling the financing of Russia’s aggression against Ukraine. She noted that it was only U.S. President Donald Trump’s decision to impose tariffs on goods from India that changed the direction of the country’s raw materials policy.
“How does the EU intend to pursue its ‘noble strategic goals’ with regard to India?” the Polish MEP asked. She also wondered how the EU would carry out joint aid efforts with India to assist other countries, given that India itself is grappling with dramatic social problems—poverty, deep inequalities, and a entrenched caste system. “What about the rights of women, who in India are still systematically discriminated against and marginalized, and against whom violence is widespread and often goes unpunished?” she asked, inquiring about plans to develop a joint equality policy.
The Polish politician also pointed out the contradiction between declarations of a common security policy and the fact that India maintains close relations with Russia. “The list of concerns is long. The Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid says that we are united by shared values, but in reality, there are serious differences,” concluded Małgorzata Gosiewska.
