Europe and India: The Need for Greater Mutual AwarenessDietmar Rothermund

ASIEN – Nr. 80 (2001) pp. 116–25

The EC is poised to accept several East-European states as new members. In this way it will be preoccupied with its own integration and will not pay much attention to developments in distant places such as India. A consolidated „Little Europe“ would certainly be more effective in dealing with the outside world, but it seems that nobody in Europe would opt for a minimal solution — least of all the East Europeans who wish to join the EC as soon as possible.

At the same time India is on the verge of becoming a major power. Its industrial progress is encouraging — particularly in the new field of information technology. It has a large pool of highly qualified engineers and technicians and will do well in international competition. This also augurs well for international cooperation — particularly with the USA where many highly qualified Indians reside who are able to forge important links with India. This is a trend which literally bypasses Europe. In the near future India will also benefit for the demographic transition which will