Patna,(BiharTimes): The bitter infighting between the two NDA constituents in Bihar had its reverberations during a roundtable organized for the European Union (EU) ambassador to India, Joao Cravinho.

Speaking on the occasion he said coalition compulsions in India do not usually allow governments to take tough decisions. The roundtable was organized by Asian Development Research Institute (ADRI) and International Governance Centre here on Tuesday.

Cravinho said political parties in India forge alliance despite significant ideological differences. It is only anti-Congressism which brought the alliance between BJP and Janata Dal (United) in Bihar. 

The EU envoy regretted that there is growing disparity between the rich and poor in Bihar though the state had made development and added that the EU could explore investment opportunities if the state government showed any inclination.

He confirmed the reports that the volume of aid given by the European Union countries, especially the United Kingdom, to Bihar and other states in various sectors may decline. 

The envoy said that after several rounds of talks with the central government, the EU has come to the conclusion that it is not interested in development funds anymore.

He said the Goods and Services Tax (GST) would ease trade mechanism for EU. This would also ensure that India’s trading opportunities with the EU don’t shrink, considering the fact that they are also exploring business avenues with Japan and the United States.

He cited the Vienna Convention to defend EU’s criticism of India’s Supreme Court on Italian marines issue. “The Convention clearly says that even in the worst of conditions like war, the diplomats’ movement can not be restricted. So, we pleaded the case of Italian diplomat in that light only.” However, he added that the matter is still sub-judice and the Supreme Court is yet to decide over the Italian marine's issue. It is an unprecedented situation.

Cravinho also met chief minister Nitish Kumar at his residence and attributed the turnaround of Bihar o “dynamic leadership” of the chief minister.

The EU envoy was accompanied by First Counsellor and head of its political affairs Anne Marchal.