EU, India look for convenient date for summit

Brussels: The European Union is in "contact" with India to finalise a mutually convenient date for the next EU-India summit here, days after the 28-member bloc did not respond to India's proposal for a visit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the meeting.

"We are in contact with the Indian officials to arrive at a mutually convenient date for the next India-EU summit here. It is EU's turn to host the summit this time. We are working through diplomatic channels to identify the date so that both sides have sufficient time for it," spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Maja Kocijancic told PTI.

Asked about EU's non-response to India's proposal for a visit by Modi here during his trip to Germany and France next month, the Spokesperson did not respond.

Chair of the EU Delegation for relations with India Geoffrey Van Orden earlier this week had said in New Delhi that EU did not respond to India's proposal for Modi's visit here due to the Italian marines issue.

He said a date was under discussion and "it took too long" on the part of the EU to confirm the date which made India firm up Modi's itinerary leaving out a short visit here.

Upset with the slow progress of the trial of two Italian marines accused of killing two Indian fisherman in 2012, new EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini had made many critical remarks on the issue much to India's discomfort.

The last EU-India summit had taken place in 2012.