EU President Ireland Denies Potential Friction With India as Bloc Eyes New Sanctions on Russia

New Delhi: Ireland on Wednesday (July 1) began its six-month presidency of the Council of the European Union, placing maritime security in the Strait of Hormuz and sustaining pressure on Russia through a fresh sanctions package among the bloc's immediate priorities, while stressing that Brussels now has a "mature" relationship with India that accommodates differences over Moscow.

Launching Ireland's EU presidency in the Indian capital, Irish ambassador Kevin Kelly said Europe was assuming the rotating presidency "at a time of so much change and so much turmoil in the world," pointing to Russia's war against Ukraine, conflict in West Asia, growing geopolitical competition and pressure on the multilateral system.

"Even in our preparations a few years ago, we could never have anticipated the world of 2026," he said, noting that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was simultaneously attending the presidency launch in Dublin in "an important signal from the Irish Presidency".

Speaking at the event held at the Press Club of India, Kelly said support for Ukraine would remain "a defining priority" of Ireland's presidency. "That will involve supporting robust, targeted sanctions against Russia, working to advance Ukraine's path to the European Union and making sure that Ukraine has access to the financial support it needs to defend itself against Russia's ongoing illegal aggression," he said.

His remarks come as Ireland takes charge of negotiations on the European Union's proposed new sanctions package against Russia. EU governments are seeking agreement before July 15, when the bloc's mechanism for reviewing the G7-EU price cap on Russian oil is due to take effect.

The 21st sanctions package will be closely watched in New Delhi because several India-based entities were listed in previous sanctions packages for their alleged involvement in the trade of Russian crude or petroleum products, a move New Delhi has rejected. The disruptions of India’s Gulf energy exports has also led to a record surge in Russian crude imports.

Last month, EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Kaja Kallas had said that new listings would include companies from India.

On a question of India's relations with Russia, Kelly rejected suggestions that another sanctions package would necessarily create friction with India.

"A mature partnership requires respect for each other's positions," he said. "We've moved beyond any naivete about India's long-standing historical relationship with Russia."

While Ireland would continue to support Ukraine politically and financially, back Kyiv's path towards EU membership and "maintain momentum behind the European Union's sanctions regime", Kelly said the relationship had reached a point where "both sides understand each other's positions, even where we may not agree".

EU ambassador to India Herve Delphin also chipped in that the European Union recognised India's historical ties with Russia and was not asking New Delhi to abandon them. "We have never asked India to sever its relationship with Russia," he said. "What we have said is that Europe has legitimate security concerns.”

Meanwhile, the other conflict, the Iran war, has also fundamentally altered Europe’s assessment of maritime security, Kelly stated.

"I think all of us have become much more aware of the vulnerability of our systems, particularly our maritime governance systems," he said. "What happened during the hostilities involving Iran had almost immediate consequences, not only for that region but also for India, Europe and my own country. There is now a much greater awareness of the importance of protecting maritime routes."

Delphin noted that consultations over a multinational maritime arrangement for the Strait of Hormuz were continuing among around 14 countries, including India, although he cautioned that they remained at an early stage.

"There is indeed a specific discussion taking place regarding maritime security," he said. "Some EU member states, acting in their national capacities, have been leading international consultations that could eventually result in a multinational maritime operation. India has been part of those discussions."

He stated the talks were focused on ensuring "free and safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz", while questions relating to naval deployments, mine clearance and surveillance remained under discussion. The European Union, he added, already had maritime operations in the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden that would continue under their existing mandates.

More broadly, Delphin argued that recent events had demonstrated that one of the assumptions underpinning globalisation could no longer be taken for granted.

"For many years, free and safe maritime passage was something we simply took for granted," he said. "That can no longer be taken as a given." He said the experience should prompt India and the European Union to engage in "a much deeper reflection about the implications for global trade and international security".

Kelly also underlined the importance Ireland attached to ties with India during its presidency, saying the EU increasingly viewed India as "one of our most important strategic partners".

Ahead of Ireland assuming the presidency, external affairs minister S. Jaishankar spoke with Irish minister Helen McEntee, with both ministers highlighting the importance of advancing bilateral cooperation and the proposed India-EU free trade agreement.

The Wire is now on WhatsApp. Follow our channel for sharp analysis and opinions on the latest developments.