Foreign Minister Baiba Braže
The other challenge Latvia (once part of the Soviet Union) faces is Russia, particularly since the war in Ukraine began over three years ago. Pointing out that India too faces challenges vis vis its neighbours, she said the two countries could discuss security issues as well. The Batlic states now spend 3.5 percent of their GDP on defence and it is going to rise to 4 percent next year and then, up to 5 percent. “It is needed,” she said, as “there are concrete challenges and there is a need to maintain abilities.”
Asked about the current discussions with the United States of America and certain statements made by President Donald Trump himself and his vice president, J.D. Vance, she said the relationship between the USA and Europe was strong. Historically, the Americans came into both World Wars (in 1917 and 1944) and more recently, European soldiers have helped the USA in Afghanistan. The “best way,” she said, was to “manage the differences behind closed doors.” The USA, she said, “needs friends and Europe is America’s closest friend.”
India and Latvia are working together in the space sector. With her delegation have come representatives from niche space companies that are “innovative” and are looking for the “right partners.” A discussion is likely in Bangalore tomorrow. If space is a relatively new sector, there are older, closer ties, including between Sanskrit and Latvian and Lithuanian, Braze mentioned. Some of the “ornamentation” in ancient monuments is similar, she added. National folk costumes have some similarities, Braze said.
Stronger economic ties between India and Europe and also, India and Latvia, are on the agenda, she said. That the interaction is between democracies helps, she added. A free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the EU is likely by the end of the year and for India, investing in Europe will open possibilities for reaching out to areas which have FTAs with Europe. It would work in a similar way for European firms investing in India, she said, adding it would lead to a “new world of opportunity.” There are other issues the two countries can work together on, Braze said, including “digital advancement” and “clean energy.”