ARTICLE
Modi’s India and the European Union:
A Perception Study
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Publication date: 2015-12-31
Stosunki Międzynarodowe – International Relations 2015;51(4):153-177
KEYWORDS
ABSTRACT
India and the European Union (EU) have long been touted as natural partners, yet
despite their apparent commonalities, political relations between the two global
powers have lost momentum. The impasse reached in negotiations towards an EU–
India Free-Trade Agreement (BTIA), and niggling bilateral disputes are indicative
of the current state of affairs. Therefore the EU is for India a relatively insignificant
partner, which is reflected in the way the EU is presented in the Indian media.
Although occasionally portrayed in a negative way, the EU is on the whole treated
with indifference by the Indian online news media, receiving minimal coverage.
France, Germany and the United Kingdom (UK) are far more visible in the Indian
media, unsurprisingly as close bilateral ties with these three EU Member States is
central to the Government of India’s strategy in Europe. A shortage of understanding
about the EU and a lack of profile gained by EU leadership in India are identified
as main causes for the current indifference felt towards the EU in India. High level
engagement is identified as being the most effective way to increase the EU’s profile
and perception in India, with the EU–India summit expected in the first half of
2016, offering leaders a perfect platform.