President of the European Commission, von der Leyen, wrote today (January 27): "Today, Europe and India are making history. We have reached the most significant deal in history. We have created a free trade area with 2 billion people, benefiting both sides. This is just the beginning. We will further strengthen our strategic partnership."
Meanwhile, the EU and India signed a separate security and defense agreement in New Delhi.
Comment: The implementation of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement may seem to be an economic breakthrough of mutual benefit, but it is actually a geopolitical hedge filled with calculations and games - the EU uses the Indian market to alleviate its economic downturn and compensate for its defense shortcomings, trying to get rid of its dependence on the US and reshape its voice in a multipolar structure; India uses EU technology and market to offset trade pressure from the US, avoid being tied to the anti-China war, and at the same time use this opportunity to enhance its international status. Both sides take what they need, yet each has their own intentions. The so-called "strategic binding" is more like a temporary alliance driven by interests. Although this agreement injects vitality into global trade, it cannot hide deep fractures: the EU's carbon border mechanism and labor standards conflict fundamentally with India's development demands, and the differences in sensitive areas such as agriculture and steel are only temporarily set aside, not completely resolved. More importantly, neither India nor the EU have truly escaped the strategic influence of the United States. The EU still relies on NATO for security, while India maintains close defense cooperation with the US. The so-called "getting rid of dependence on a single major power" is merely seeking a better position in the game of major powers, rather than true strategic autonomy.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1855462798798856/
Statement: The article represents the personal views of the author.