Brussels, 10 January 2025
A seven MEP strong delegation travelled to Mumbai, Pune and Bengaluru to discuss digital issues, product standards, quality assurance measures, consumer protection and e-commerce.
On their return, Andreas Schwab (EPP, DE), who led the Internal Market and Consumer Protection Committee delegation, said: “Our Indian counterparts showed us how well defined, strategic policies lead to a fast growing, digitally empowered economy. I see huge potential to tighten our cooperation in various sectors like customs or technology.”
Laura Ballarín Cereza (S&D, ES) added: “Our visit had a special focus on Bengaluru, the so-called ‘Silicon Valley of India’ because of its role in the IT industry. We learned a lot about India’s latest technological developments, the reasons for fast development in the field of Artificial Intelligence, the country’s huge start-up ecosystems, and how to enhance EU- India cooperation.”
Background
The delegation took place from 6-10 January. The visit came in the context of the Committee’s ongoing and future work on important legislative files on digital policy, but also product standards, quality assurance measures, consumer protection, and e-commerce. The delegation’s objective was also to enhance EU-India cooperation in these areas, promoting digital innovation and addressing challenges in e-commerce and consumer protection.
MEPs visited Mumbai as well as Pune, India’s pre-eminent centre of academia and business, and Bengaluru, the country’s so-called IT-capital. They met with Indian authorities responsible for digital regulation and consumer protection, civil society organisations working on consumer advocacy and protection, industry associations, including representatives of European businesses, leading tech companies and technological incubators, and academic experts.
The seven-member delegation was comprised of by Andreas Schwab (EPP, DE), Dimitris Tsiodras (EPP, EL), Laura Ballarín Cereza (S&D, ES), Idoia Mendia (S&D, ES), Virginie Joron (PfE, FR), Reinis Pozņaks (ECR, LV) and Stephanie Yon-Courtin (Renew, FR).