Answer given by Vice-President Mogherini on behalf of the European Commission

4.11.2019

It is the joint responsibility of India and Pakistan to maintain peaceful relations and to find a lasting solution to their differences. The EU encourages therefore both sides to engage in, and maintain a positive dialogue. The EU encourages India and Pakistan to involve as far as possible the Kashmiri people.

Restrictive measures are decided by the Council and are one of the EU's tools to promote the objectives of the common foreign and security policy. They are always part of a wider, comprehensive policy approach involving political dialogue and complementary efforts. The EU is, at this stage, not considering restrictive measures.

Since 2013, negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between the EU and India have been in a stalemate due to differences in ambitions between the two sides. Since 2009, the EU’s approach is to include human rights as an ‘essential element’ in EU political framework agreements with third countries.

Where such agreements — as in the case of India — were concluded prior to 2009, a human rights clause would normally be included when updating such agreements or provisions on human rights would be part of the Free Trade Agreement with the country in question.

The Sustainability Impact Assessment carried out in parallel with Free Trade Agreement negotiations cover(s)(ed) aspects of human rights.