NEW DELHI, 8 November 2004 — Just a day ahead of the fifth India-European Union summit, scheduled to be held in The Hague today, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh highlighted the significance of this partnership yesterday in the capital.

Manmohan welcomed the European Union’s proposal for a strategic partnership with India, as he left for the summit.

“In recognition of India’s growing stature and influence, the EU has proposed a strategic partnership with India. This will be formalized during the summit. We warmly welcome the development,” Manmohan told reporters. Counterterrorism efforts and trade would also be in focus at the India-EU summit, he said.

“My discussions with the EU leadership will be reflected in a comprehensive joint statement that will be issued at the conclusion of the India-EU summit,”Manmohan explained.

The EU wants to bring its relationship with India to “the same parity, density and quality” as it has with the US, Canada, China, Russia and Japan, a EU official said last week.

“Our relations are based on shared values — democracy, pluralism, rule of law and free press,” Manmohan said yesterday.

“Our partnership has evolved over the years from economic and development cooperation to a broad-based engagement on a wide range of issues — globalization, terrorism, proliferation, energy and environment.”

Manmohan will hold talks separately with his Netherlands counterpart Jan Peter Balkenende and call on Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands. The Netherlands holds the six-month rotating presidency of the 25-nation EU until Dec. 31.

“The EU is not only India’s largest trading partner but also our largest source of foreign investment. It is also an important source of technology and home to an influential Indian diaspora,” said Manmohan.

Among other highlights at the summit, the two sides will sign a 33-million-euro ($25.4 million) agreement for 1,000 Indian students to pursue masters courses in Europe over the next three years.

But the details of Indian participation in Europe’s Galileo satellite navigation project are still under discussion and will not be formally decided today, said a source.

The summit will also discuss cultural exchanges in film, literature and music.