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<p>India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged the activities of 'extremist groups based overseas' while responding to the alleged assassination plot of an India-designated terrorist&nbsp;in the United States.&nbsp;</p>

<p>"If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it," Modi said in an interview with the Financial Times. "If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law."</p>

<p>PM Modi has for the first time responded to allegations of an Indian assassination plot in the US, which the American authorities claim was targeted at&nbsp;Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel for the separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and designated an&nbsp;'individual terrorist' by India's&nbsp;National Investigation Agency (NIA).&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Also watch |&nbsp;Explained: The Pannun Plot, India's global image &amp; The India-U.S. strategic partnership</strong></p>

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<p>Modi said India was "deeply concerned about the activities of certain extremist groups based overseas".&nbsp;</p>

<p>He added: "These elements, under the guise of freedom of expression, have engaged in intimidation and incited violence."</p>

<p>The India-US ties have been described&nbsp;as "among the most consequential in the world".&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, Modi said: "There is strong bipartisan support for the strengthening of this relationship, which is a clear indicator of a mature and stable partnership."</p>

<p>"Security and counter-terrorism co-operation has been a key component of our partnership," he added. "I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries."&nbsp;</p>

<p>US President Joe Biden visited New Delhi for the G20 summit in September.</p>

<p>India’s foreign ministry previously announced that New Delhi had set up a high-level committee to investigate the US allegations and would "take necessary follow-up action".&nbsp;</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">"When Americans brought up issues, they told us some specific things...we sincerely told Canadians, its up to you, your choice if you would like us to peruse further", EAM Jaishankar <a href="https://twitter.com/DrSJaishankar?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@DrSJaishankar</a> at a Bengaluru event on US/Canada murder/attempt to murder case <a href="https://t.co/Y9zNL1eiq6">pic.twitter.com/Y9zNL1eiq6</a></p>
— Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) <a href="https://twitter.com/sidhant/status/1736294878479585290?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 17, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>The Pannun assassination plot&nbsp;followed a statement in September from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Ottawa was investigating whether "agents" of New Delhi were behind the June killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist, in British Columbia. India denounced the claim as "absurd".</p>

<p>(With inputs from agencies)</p>


India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged the activities of 'extremist groups based overseas' while responding to the alleged assassination plot of an India-designated terrorist in the United States.

India's Prime Minister Narendra Modi flagged the activities of 'extremist groups based overseas' while responding to the alleged assassination plot of an India-designated terrorist in the United States. "If someone gives us any information, we would definitely look into it," Modi said in an interview with the Financial Times. "If a citizen of ours has done anything good or bad, we are ready to look into it. Our commitment is to the rule of law." PM Modi has for the first time responded to allegations of an Indian assassination plot in the US, which the American authorities claim was targeted at Gurpatwant Singh Pannun, the general counsel for the separatist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) and designated an 'individual terrorist' by India's National Investigation Agency (NIA). Also watch | Explained: The Pannun Plot, India's global image & The India-U.S. strategic partnership × Modi said India was "deeply concerned about the activities of certain extremist groups based overseas". He added: "These elements, under the guise of freedom of expression, have engaged in intimidation and incited violence." The India-US ties have been described as "among the most consequential in the world". However, Modi said: "There is strong bipartisan support for the strengthening of this relationship, which is a clear indicator of a mature and stable partnership." "Security and counter-terrorism co-operation has been a key component of our partnership," he added. "I don’t think it is appropriate to link a few incidents with diplomatic relations between the two countries." US President Joe Biden visited New Delhi for the G20 summit in September. India’s foreign ministry previously announced that New Delhi had set up a high-level committee to investigate the US allegations and would "take necessary follow-up action". "When Americans brought up issues, they told us some specific things...we sincerely told Canadians, its up to you, your choice if you would like us to peruse further", EAM Jaishankar @DrSJaishankar at a Bengaluru event on US/Canada murder/attempt to murder case pic.twitter.com/Y9zNL1eiq6 — Sidhant Sibal (@sidhant) December 17, 2023 × The Pannun assassination plot followed a statement in September from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau that Ottawa was investigating whether "agents" of New Delhi were behind the June killing of Hardeep Singh Nijjar, a Sikh separatist, in British Columbia. India denounced the claim as "absurd". (With inputs from agencies)

Amid alleged Pannun murder plot, Indian PM Modi flags activities of overseas 'extremist groups'

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<p>A pollution warning has been issued for Iceland’s capital Reykjavik after a volcanic eruption in Reykjanes peninsula late Monday (Dec 18), said the country’s meteorological office. Meanwhile, the lava spewing from the volcano appeared to be flowing away from the only nearby town and the intensity of the eruption dropped over the past day or so.&nbsp;</p>

<p>Last month, nearly 4,000 people from the Icelandic fishing town of Grindavik, which is around 40 kilometres away from the capital city of Reykjavik, were evacuated due to the threat of the volcano.&nbsp;</p>

<p>However, since the lava is reportedly flowing away from the town there is hope that homes would be safe even though seismic activity could last months, said the officials, on Tuesday (Dec 19).&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Pollution warning in Reykjavik</strong></h2>

<p>The volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland which the government said “does not present a threat to life” took place around 10:17 pm (local time) after weeks of intense earthquakes and tremors.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/iceland-volcano-is-ejecting-enough-lava-to-fill-olympic-swimming-pool-in-20-seconds-671351">Iceland volcano is ejecting enough lava to fill olympic swimming pool in 20 seconds</a></strong></p>

<p>The eruption has prompted the Icelandic Met Office to issue a gas pollution warning for the country’s capital city by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. The smell of ash and smoke, BBC citing residents said, is being picked up as far as 30 kilometres from the eruption site.&nbsp;</p>

<p>The eruption late on Monday spewed lava and smoke more than 100 metres into the air after weeks of intense seismic activity. While the eruption continues to weaken, the volcanic plume reportedly appeared to move from the west and northwest on Tuesday.</p>

<p>The Icelandic government, in a statement, also dismissed international travel concerns due to the smoke and ash and said, “There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open.”&nbsp;</p>

<p>The eruption opened a four-kilometre fissure but even at its southernmost point, the crack was still around three kilometres away from Grindavik, said the Icelandic Met Office.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/thrill-seekers-ignore-danger-warnings-to-capture-volcano-eruption-in-iceland-heres-what-happens-next-671383">Thrill-seekers ignore danger warnings to capture volcano eruption in Iceland. Here’s what happens next</a></strong></p>

<p>“Everything happened so fast,” Kristin Maria Birgisdottir, 43, a Grindavik resident who has been evacuated since November 10 told Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“I had already put my kids to sleep, and I was already in bed when I saw someone posted that it had erupted. I took a screenshot, and thought to myself that it was a bad joke.”&nbsp;</p>

<h2><strong>Christmas celebrations away from home</strong></h2>

<p>Since the eruption took place yesterday, it has quashed the hopes of the residents of Grindavik who were hoping to celebrate Christmas at their homes which they were evacuated from last month.</p>

<p>“Unfortunately, the hope that had ignited in the hearts of many about the possibility of celebrating Christmas at home in Grindavik was extinguished when the eruption began yesterday,” said Mayor of Grindavik Fannar Jonasson, in a statement.&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/dramatic-images-of-a-volcanic-eruption-in-iceland-emerge-as-lava-escapes-fishing-town-of-grindavik-671411">Dramatic images of a volcanic eruption in Iceland emerge, as lava escapes fishing town of Grindavik</a></strong></p>

<p>While the lava is not flowing towards Grindavik, media reports citing geologists and volcanologists have said there is no telling when the eruption will end.&nbsp;</p>

<p>“It could potentially go on for several months. It could also just stop later today or tomorrow,” said Halldor Geirson, an associate professor at the Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland, as quoted by Reuters.&nbsp;</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


A pollution warning has been issued for Iceland’s capital Reykjavik after a volcanic eruption in Reykjanes peninsula late Monday (Dec 18), said the country’s meteorological office.

A pollution warning has been issued for Iceland’s capital Reykjavik after a volcanic eruption in Reykjanes peninsula late Monday (Dec 18), said the country’s meteorological office. Meanwhile, the lava spewing from the volcano appeared to be flowing away from the only nearby town and the intensity of the eruption dropped over the past day or so. Last month, nearly 4,000 people from the Icelandic fishing town of Grindavik, which is around 40 kilometres away from the capital city of Reykjavik, were evacuated due to the threat of the volcano. However, since the lava is reportedly flowing away from the town there is hope that homes would be safe even though seismic activity could last months, said the officials, on Tuesday (Dec 19). Pollution warning in Reykjavik The volcanic eruption in southwest Iceland which the government said “does not present a threat to life” took place around 10:17 pm (local time) after weeks of intense earthquakes and tremors. ALSO READ | Iceland volcano is ejecting enough lava to fill olympic swimming pool in 20 seconds The eruption has prompted the Icelandic Met Office to issue a gas pollution warning for the country’s capital city by Tuesday evening or Wednesday morning. The smell of ash and smoke, BBC citing residents said, is being picked up as far as 30 kilometres from the eruption site. The eruption late on Monday spewed lava and smoke more than 100 metres into the air after weeks of intense seismic activity. While the eruption continues to weaken, the volcanic plume reportedly appeared to move from the west and northwest on Tuesday. The Icelandic government, in a statement, also dismissed international travel concerns due to the smoke and ash and said, “There are no disruptions to flights to and from Iceland and international flight corridors remain open.” The eruption opened a four-kilometre fissure but even at its southernmost point, the crack was still around three kilometres away from Grindavik, said the Icelandic Met Office. ALSO READ | Thrill-seekers ignore danger warnings to capture volcano eruption in Iceland. Here’s what happens next “Everything happened so fast,” Kristin Maria Birgisdottir, 43, a Grindavik resident who has been evacuated since November 10 told Reuters. “I had already put my kids to sleep, and I was already in bed when I saw someone posted that it had erupted. I took a screenshot, and thought to myself that it was a bad joke.” Christmas celebrations away from home Since the eruption took place yesterday, it has quashed the hopes of the residents of Grindavik who were hoping to celebrate Christmas at their homes which they were evacuated from last month. “Unfortunately, the hope that had ignited in the hearts of many about the possibility of celebrating Christmas at home in Grindavik was extinguished when the eruption began yesterday,” said Mayor of Grindavik Fannar Jonasson, in a statement. ALSO READ | Dramatic images of a volcanic eruption in Iceland emerge, as lava escapes fishing town of Grindavik While the lava is not flowing towards Grindavik, media reports citing geologists and volcanologists have said there is no telling when the eruption will end. “It could potentially go on for several months. It could also just stop later today or tomorrow,” said Halldor Geirson, an associate professor at the Institute of Earth Sciences at the University of Iceland, as quoted by Reuters. (With inputs from agencies)

Iceland volcano: Pollution warning issued for capital Reykjavik as smoke, ash spread

Google agrees to a monumental $700 million antitrust settlement, reshaping the landscape of its play app store. The deal involves substantial changes to foster competition, with $630 million allocated to a consumer settlement fund. States, including california and new york, stand to benefit from a $70 million fund.

Google agrees to $700 mn settlement

<p><em><strong>Trigger warning: The story contains graphic details of the signs of brutal violence. Discretion is advised.&nbsp;</strong></em></p>

<p>In a shocking incident in Australia, a 26-year-old dog owner Amy Judge threw her Maltese Shih Tzu, Princess, off the top floor of a multi-storey car park. The brutal act was captured on CCTV and Princess had to be put down having sustained severe injuries.</p>

<p>Judge was sentenced to 12 months in jail and has now been banned from owning an animal for 10 years after the cruel act.&nbsp;In a disturbing revelation, Judge confessed to her actions, claiming she had done the dog "a favour because all I did was hurt her and abuse her."</p>

<p>In a post on social media, she expressed guilt and disclosed the tragic event, stating, "I can't live with the lies anymore... I killed my dog, and I need the truth out in the open." She added, "Now everybody knows the truth, and I can put my mind at ease."</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/red-sea-crisis-weighs-on-already-disrupted-global-supply-chains-671563">Red sea crisis weighs on already disrupted global supply chains</a></p>

<p>The court saw footage showing Judge arguing with her partner, Scott Frost. She was seen dangling Princess over the car park's edge, and allowing the dog to walk along the roof for eight minutes before ultimately throwing her off.</p>

<p>Frost received a fine of 2,500 Australian dollars and a three-year ban from owning animals for neglecting to seek veterinary care for Princess.</p>

<p>Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/gaza-hospital-director-admits-facility-converted-into-hamas-operational-base-671547">Gaza hospital director admits facility converted into Hamas' operational base</a></p>

<p>Magistrate Mark Millington, in delivering the sentence, characterised Judge's actions as a "planned, deliberate, and intentional act," leaving Princess for dead.</p>

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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Amy Lea Judge, 26, was sentenced in Midland Magistrates Court on Tuesday for the attack on her 10-year-old Maltese-Shih-Tzu mix named Princess.<br />
<br />
Prosecutors called her behavior “egregious, callous and cruel.”<br />
<br />
I feel the punishment should be for the crime; what do you think? <a href="https://t.co/aWbb6NQNXb">pic.twitter.com/aWbb6NQNXb</a></p>
— 🇺🇸 Larry 🇺🇸 (@LarryDJonesJr) <a href="https://twitter.com/LarryDJonesJr/status/1737323926361915741?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 20, 2023</a></blockquote>
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<p>Kylie Green, inspector manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in Western Australia, labeled the incident as the "most distressing" in her 11-year career, describing it as a "callous and extremely confronting display of animal cruelty."</p>

<p><strong>Watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/singapore-considering-artificial-islands-to-deal-with-rising-sea-levels-671569">Singapore considering artificial islands to deal with rising sea levels</a></strong></p>

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<p>Judge wrote, "I can't live with the guilt, I threw my dog off the top story (sic) of a shopping centre car park and watched her fall to her death but she survived and needed to be put down due to how badly I injured her."</p>

<p><em>(With inputs from agencies)</em></p>


Trigger warning: The story contains graphic details of the signs of brutal violence. Discretion is advised. In a shocking incident in Australia, a 26-year-old dog owner Amy Judge threw her Maltese Shih Tzu, Princess, off the top floor of a multi-storey car park.

Trigger warning: The story contains graphic details of the signs of brutal violence. Discretion is advised. In a shocking incident in Australia, a 26-year-old dog owner Amy Judge threw her Maltese Shih Tzu, Princess, off the top floor of a multi-storey car park. The brutal act was captured on CCTV and Princess had to be put down having sustained severe injuries. Judge was sentenced to 12 months in jail and has now been banned from owning an animal for 10 years after the cruel act. In a disturbing revelation, Judge confessed to her actions, claiming she had done the dog "a favour because all I did was hurt her and abuse her." In a post on social media, she expressed guilt and disclosed the tragic event, stating, "I can't live with the lies anymore... I killed my dog, and I need the truth out in the open." She added, "Now everybody knows the truth, and I can put my mind at ease." Also Read | Red sea crisis weighs on already disrupted global supply chains The court saw footage showing Judge arguing with her partner, Scott Frost. She was seen dangling Princess over the car park's edge, and allowing the dog to walk along the roof for eight minutes before ultimately throwing her off. Frost received a fine of 2,500 Australian dollars and a three-year ban from owning animals for neglecting to seek veterinary care for Princess. Also Read | Gaza hospital director admits facility converted into Hamas' operational base Magistrate Mark Millington, in delivering the sentence, characterised Judge's actions as a "planned, deliberate, and intentional act," leaving Princess for dead. Amy Lea Judge, 26, was sentenced in Midland Magistrates Court on Tuesday for the attack on her 10-year-old Maltese-Shih-Tzu mix named Princess. Prosecutors called her behavior “egregious, callous and cruel.” I feel the punishment should be for the crime; what do you think? pic.twitter.com/aWbb6NQNXb — 🇺🇸 Larry 🇺🇸 (@LarryDJonesJr) December 20, 2023 × Kylie Green, inspector manager at the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) in Western Australia, labeled the incident as the "most distressing" in her 11-year career, describing it as a "callous and extremely confronting display of animal cruelty." Watch | Singapore considering artificial islands to deal with rising sea levels × Judge wrote, "I can't live with the guilt, I threw my dog off the top story (sic) of a shopping centre car park and watched her fall to her death but she survived and needed to be put down due to how badly I injured her." (With inputs from agencies)

Australian woman sentenced for throwing her dog off the top of multi-storey car park

France passes controversial Immigration Bill | World News | WION

<p>European Parliamentarian (MEP) Morten Løkkegaard, who chairs relations with India in the European Parliament, has underscored the urgency for collaboration between India and Europe amidst global uncertainties, stating, "I think this is a time for India and Europe should unite, to have a lot more cooperation because we live in geopolitically uncertain times...big democracies have to work together".&nbsp;</p>

<p>The parliamentarian is in India as part of a European Parliamentary delegation which met India's external affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accelerating India-Europe relations since 2021, noting, "...the relationship due to Prime Minister Modi has been developing very fast and still developing."</p>

<p>Addressing the ongoing talks on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, Løkkegaard emphasised the mutual need for the agreement, declaring, "Both parties need this FTA agreement, we need it for growth but also for cooperation as such in the times of geopolitical tensions." He called for immediate political action, stating, "Now. I think that the negotiators, the technical sides have used all forces they can use and now we need political decisions to be made on both sides."&nbsp;</p>

<p><strong>Full interview:</strong></p>

<p>WION: What was the key focus of your India visit?<br />
Morten Løkkegaard: Well I think it's been extremely interesting and very timely. We have pushed for these meetings for several months. I was here in Delhi for the first time in January, representing the delegation. And I said that it would be very nice for us in this very important times to have inter-parliamentary relations again, and we really needed to re-establish the contacts. So it's a great fortune. I'm very fortunate that we have the chance now to visit India again. And we were here, actually two delegations, both of us from the relations with India, but also the security and defence committee. So we were actually two groupings, a lot of people, very good meetings with the ministers, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and with the Minister for Commerce and with the parliament as well. We had the interparliamentary meeting on Monday, and discussed the various issues of great importance. I think this is a time for India and Europe should unite, to have a lot more cooperation because we live in a geopolitically speaking, we live in uncertain times, things are changing very rapidly, all over the globe. And in these times, big democracies have to work together and this has basically been the reason for our meetings.</p>

<p>WION: Democracies need to work together. How do you see the relationship between India and the European Union going forward this year was significant. We saw the two TTC meetings, one in Brussels, then virtually. So how do you see things progressing between the two sides<br />
Morten Løkkegaard: Fortunately, very rapidly moving forward. This is no secret that for many years we have been, as I said in a kind of frozen condition, kind of pause. But since 2021, the relationship due to Prime Minister Modi has been developing very fast and still developing. Of course, we still have a long way to go. But the good news is that, both parties really want this. I see there's a strategic interest for both parties to have this ever-closer relationship. As I said democracies have to work together. And by doing that, we are really, really doing some good right now. Of course, still lots of things to do. But we are moving in the right direction.&nbsp;</p>

<p>WION: Moving in the right direction. One thing that needs to really be fast-tracked is perhaps the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), how do you see the conversation on FTA going forward? Do you see any timeline for the conclusion, what has been the progress and what's your view if you can talk about<br />
Morten Løkkegaard: &nbsp;It's really very robust, the talks I would say. We had a meeting with the Minister for Commerce last night, and he's a very outspoken person and I'm very fond of that. I think it's very good to have these robust conversations about what's at stake. Again, both parties need this FTA agreement, we needed for growth but also for cooperation as such in times of geopolitical tensions. So I think there's a need to do something. It's very, it's very difficult. It's complicated stuff, because we are moving from the very opposite positions in Europe. We have a tradition for huge packages when we're doing FTAs. We have a lot of them, already. So we kind of, you know, introduced a way of dealing with these things, which is not very familiar to the Indians. I mean, as the Minister said, on Monday, we are usually always negotiating trade alone, not any other issues. Coming from Europe. We are also very interested in introducing chapters on climate, you know chapters about working conditions for workers and so on and so forth. It's part of the deal. So we need some political movement. Now. I think that the negotiators, the technical sides have used all forces they can use and now we need political decisions to be made on both sides.</p>

<p>WION: Political decision on both sides, if you can just elaborate on that...&nbsp;<br />
Morten Løkkegaard: Yeah. I think that both sides need to understand that coming from very opposite positions. We need to do steps that we haven't done before. I would say this, this would take a paradigm shift in the way that we do negotiations and trade deals in Europe and this is of course not an easy step. So it's up to our leaders in Europe and now to decide how much we can give into this. And on the Indian side, you need to get out of your comfort zone, also when it comes to trade. You are a big nation you are a developing nation. You're doing things very fast at the moment. Maybe also too fast for the mental thinking, because what is needed is of course to get out of this comfort zone and to realize that you have to do a lot more on tariffs, you have to open your markets much more, you had to get used to the idea of more comprehensive packages, as I was suggesting, otherwise it will be difficult.</p>

<p>WION: So, let's move to another direction that is the defence and security partnership. How do you see the relationship between the two sides India and the European Union working together convergences? And perhaps if there are certain divergences as well?&nbsp;<br />
Morten Løkkegaard: Yes, one area I would I would emphasise is the digital area. I mean, what very good news is that you will pass the law. On the Indian side about the digital, about data. We did the same. The European Parliament as the first parliament in the world just agreed on an AI law which you know, try to find the balance between innovation, making things happen for businesses and the protection of citizens and our data. And the good news is of course, that the Indian side has done the same thing. And now we have very intensively discussed during these two days, where we can find common ground with these two pieces of legislation. And this could also be an icebreaker when it comes to the to FTA, I think, that's a very good sign.</p>

<p>WION: So, talking about the security and defence aspect to the Indo-Pacific Region and how both sides are working together. This increased aggressiveness by China. What do you have to say about that as well?&nbsp;<br />
Morten Løkkegaard: We are of course also very worried about aggressive actions and I think we can do a lot together with India, in rebalancing the issues here in the Indo-Pacific. Of course, this is also of much concern of the Americans. They are doing a lot of at the moment whenever you visit Washington. It's on everyone's mind the Indo-Pacific and the relationship with China. I think that we need to recalibrate the positions, the strategic work in the Asian area as such, and in the Indo-Pacific, and in order to do, that we need to cooperate even better also on cybersecurity, on security and defence and such. And then the good news is also that we have our security Defense Committee visiting various ministers these two days and good results. Very good, positive atmosphere. I think we can do a lot better.&nbsp;</p>


European Parliamentarian (MEP) Morten Løkkegaard, who chairs relations with India in the European Parliament, has underscored the urgency for collaboration between India and Europe amidst global uncertainties, stating, "I think this is a time for India and Europe should unite, to have a lot more cooperation because we live in geopolitically uncertain times.

European Parliamentarian (MEP) Morten Løkkegaard, who chairs relations with India in the European Parliament, has underscored the urgency for collaboration between India and Europe amidst global uncertainties, stating, "I think this is a time for India and Europe should unite, to have a lot more cooperation because we live in geopolitically uncertain times...big democracies have to work together". The parliamentarian is in India as part of a European Parliamentary delegation which met India's external affairs Minister Dr S Jaishankar and Trade Minister Piyush Goyal. Speaking to our diplomatic correspondent Sidhant Sibal, he commended Prime Minister Narendra Modi for accelerating India-Europe relations since 2021, noting, "...the relationship due to Prime Minister Modi has been developing very fast and still developing." Addressing the ongoing talks on the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement, Løkkegaard emphasised the mutual need for the agreement, declaring, "Both parties need this FTA agreement, we need it for growth but also for cooperation as such in the times of geopolitical tensions." He called for immediate political action, stating, "Now. I think that the negotiators, the technical sides have used all forces they can use and now we need political decisions to be made on both sides." Full interview: WION: What was the key focus of your India visit? Morten Løkkegaard: Well I think it's been extremely interesting and very timely. We have pushed for these meetings for several months. I was here in Delhi for the first time in January, representing the delegation. And I said that it would be very nice for us in this very important times to have inter-parliamentary relations again, and we really needed to re-establish the contacts. So it's a great fortune. I'm very fortunate that we have the chance now to visit India again. And we were here, actually two delegations, both of us from the relations with India, but also the security and defence committee. So we were actually two groupings, a lot of people, very good meetings with the ministers, with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and with the Minister for Commerce and with the parliament as well. We had the interparliamentary meeting on Monday, and discussed the various issues of great importance. I think this is a time for India and Europe should unite, to have a lot more cooperation because we live in a geopolitically speaking, we live in uncertain times, things are changing very rapidly, all over the globe. And in these times, big democracies have to work together and this has basically been the reason for our meetings. WION: Democracies need to work together. How do you see the relationship between India and the European Union going forward this year was significant. We saw the two TTC meetings, one in Brussels, then virtually. So how do you see things progressing between the two sides Morten Løkkegaard: Fortunately, very rapidly moving forward. This is no secret that for many years we have been, as I said in a kind of frozen condition, kind of pause. But since 2021, the relationship due to Prime Minister Modi has been developing very fast and still developing. Of course, we still have a long way to go. But the good news is that, both parties really want this. I see there's a strategic interest for both parties to have this ever-closer relationship. As I said democracies have to work together. And by doing that, we are really, really doing some good right now. Of course, still lots of things to do. But we are moving in the right direction. WION: Moving in the right direction. One thing that needs to really be fast-tracked is perhaps the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA), how do you see the conversation on FTA going forward? Do you see any timeline for the conclusion, what has been the progress and what's your view if you can talk about Morten Løkkegaard: It's really very robust, the talks I would say. We had a meeting with the Minister for Commerce last night, and he's a very outspoken person and I'm very fond of that. I think it's very good to have these robust conversations about what's at stake. Again, both parties need this FTA agreement, we needed for growth but also for cooperation as such in times of geopolitical tensions. So I think there's a need to do something. It's very, it's very difficult. It's complicated stuff, because we are moving from the very opposite positions in Europe. We have a tradition for huge packages when we're doing FTAs. We have a lot of them, already. So we kind of, you know, introduced a way of dealing with these things, which is not very familiar to the Indians. I mean, as the Minister said, on Monday, we are usually always negotiating trade alone, not any other issues. Coming from Europe. We are also very interested in introducing chapters on climate, you know chapters about working conditions for workers and so on and so forth. It's part of the deal. So we need some political movement. Now. I think that the negotiators, the technical sides have used all forces they can use and now we need political decisions to be made on both sides. WION: Political decision on both sides, if you can just elaborate on that... Morten Løkkegaard: Yeah. I think that both sides need to understand that coming from very opposite positions. We need to do steps that we haven't done before. I would say this, this would take a paradigm shift in the way that we do negotiations and trade deals in Europe and this is of course not an easy step. So it's up to our leaders in Europe and now to decide how much we can give into this. And on the Indian side, you need to get out of your comfort zone, also when it comes to trade. You are a big nation you are a developing nation. You're doing things very fast at the moment. Maybe also too fast for the mental thinking, because what is needed is of course to get out of this comfort zone and to realize that you have to do a lot more on tariffs, you have to open your markets much more, you had to get used to the idea of more comprehensive packages, as I was suggesting, otherwise it will be difficult. WION: So, let's move to another direction that is the defence and security partnership. How do you see the relationship between the two sides India and the European Union working together convergences? And perhaps if there are certain divergences as well? Morten Løkkegaard: Yes, one area I would I would emphasise is the digital area. I mean, what very good news is that you will pass the law. On the Indian side about the digital, about data. We did the same. The European Parliament as the first parliament in the world just agreed on an AI law which you know, try to find the balance between innovation, making things happen for businesses and the protection of citizens and our data. And the good news is of course, that the Indian side has done the same thing. And now we have very intensively discussed during these two days, where we can find common ground with these two pieces of legislation. And this could also be an icebreaker when it comes to the to FTA, I think, that's a very good sign. WION: So, talking about the security and defence aspect to the Indo-Pacific Region and how both sides are working together. This increased aggressiveness by China. What do you have to say about that as well? Morten Løkkegaard: We are of course also very worried about aggressive actions and I think we can do a lot together with India, in rebalancing the issues here in the Indo-Pacific. Of course, this is also of much concern of the Americans. They are doing a lot of at the moment whenever you visit Washington. It's on everyone's mind the Indo-Pacific and the relationship with China. I think that we need to recalibrate the positions, the strategic work in the Asian area as such, and in the Indo-Pacific, and in order to do, that we need to cooperate even better also on cybersecurity, on security and defence and such. And then the good news is also that we have our security Defense Committee visiting various ministers these two days and good results. Very good, positive atmosphere. I think we can do a lot better.

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