Communication from the Commission to the Council, the European Parliament and the European Economic and Social Committee - an EU-India Strategic Partnership {SEC(2004) 768}
Date: 2004-06-16
Institutions: European Commission
Subjects: European Union, India, cooperation policy, development aid

COMMISSION OF THE EUROPEAN COMMUNITIES 

Brussels, 16.6.2004 
COM(2004) 430 final 

COMMUNICATION FROM THE COMMISSION  
TO THE COUNCIL, THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT  
AND THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL COMMITTEE 

An EU-India Strategic Partnership 

{SEC(2004) 768} 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS 

1. 

INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................ 3 

1.1. 

India today: the state of play ........................................................................................ 3 

2. 

2.1 

A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: ANALYSIS AND PROPOSALS......................... 3 

Improving International Cooperation........................................................................... 3 

2.1.1.  Multilateralism ............................................................................................................. 3 

2.1.2.  Conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction................................................... 4 

2.1.3.  Non-Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction...................................................... 4 

2.1.4.  The fight against terrorism and organised crime.......................................................... 4 

2.1.5.  Migration...................................................................................................................... 5 

2.1.6.  Democracy and human rights....................................................................................... 5 

2.1.7.  Peace, prosperity and stability in South Asia............................................................... 5 

2.2. 

Strengthening the Economic Partnership ..................................................................... 6 

2.2.1.  Strategic policy dialogue.............................................................................................. 6 

2.2.2.  Strategic sectoral dialogues.......................................................................................... 6 

2.2.3.  Boosting Trade and Investment ................................................................................... 7 

2.2.4.  Boosting business-to-business co-operation ................................................................ 8 

2.2.5.  Building on synergies in science and technology ........................................................ 8 

2.2.6.  Finance and monetary affairs ....................................................................................... 8 

2.3. 

2.4. 

2.5. 

3. 

Development Cooperation ........................................................................................... 9 

Mutual Understanding.................................................................................................. 9 

Institutional Architecture ........................................................................................... 10 

IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP .............................................................. 10 

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1. 

INTRODUCTION 

India  is  changing,  dramatically  and  fast.  Its  democracy  is  healthier  and  more  vibrant  than 
ever, as the recent general elections demonstrated. India is increasingly engaging with other 
players on the world stage and has made great progress in foreign and domestic policy issues. 

In recent years, the relationship with the European Union (EU) has developed exponentially 
in  terms  of  shared  vision,  goals,  and  challenges.  This  Communication  identifies  the 
challenges, opportunities and expectations for international, economic and development 
policies  between  the  EU  and  India.  It  suggests  areas  for  future  strategic  co-operation 
and  a  streamlining  of  the  institutional  architecture.  The  full  analysis  and  the  detail  of 
proposals  contained  in  this  Communication  are  set  out  in  the  attached  Commission 
Services document.  

1.1. 

India today: the state of play 

India is an increasingly important international player and regional power. It has considerably 
strengthened relationships with the US, China and ASEAN. Its huge size and economic and 
military  clout  make  it  the  major  power  in  South  Asia.  Peace  talks  with  Pakistan  will,  if 
successful,  bring  enormous  benefit  to  the  whole  region.  India’s  economic  growth  has  also 
been  impressive,  and  the  economy  has  benefited  greatly  from  market-oriented  and  open 
policies.  But  these  benefits  have  not  been  spread  evenly  amongst  its  citizens  -  the  large 
majority of the population still live on less than $2 a day and some regions have sped ahead of 
others. India is also a country of great ethnic, religious and cultural diversity. 

Relations with the EU have strengthened since the first EU-India Summit in Lisbon in 2000, 
with ever more meetings at all levels – including business and civil society – and extensive 
dialogue  and  cooperation  on  political,  geo-political  and  multilateral  issues,  economic  and 
trade questions.  

2. 

A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP: ANALYSIS AND PROPOSALS 

The  EU  and  India  already  enjoy  a  close  relationship,  based  on  shared  values  and  mutual 
respect.  A  new  strategy  should  be  guided  by  the  following  objectives:  to  promote  peace, 
stability,  democracy,  human  rights,  the  rule  of  law  and  good  governance,  inter  alia  by 
fighting  terrorism  and  illicit  trafficking;  to  co-operate  on  fighting  poverty,  inequality  and 
social  exclusion,  and  on  sustainable  development,  environment  protection,  and  climate 
change;  and  to  enhance  economic  interaction  and  secure  a  strengthened  international 
economic order. 

2.1 

Improving International Cooperation 

2.1.1.  Multilateralism 

Since  the  EU  and  India  are  increasingly  seen  as  forces  for  global  stability,  the  focus  of 
relations  has  shifted  from  trade  to  wider  political  issues.  Both  are  supporters  of  the 
multilateral system and already cooperate effectively in the UN and other fora. This should be 
reinforced by a strategic alliance for the promotion of an effective multilateral approach.  

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The EU and India should co-ordinate and harmonise positions in the preparation, negotiation 
and  implementation  of  major  multilateral  conventions  and  conferences  (on  security,  trade, 
environment, development and human rights) and facilitate bridge building with other United 
Nations (UN) members.  

The  EU  and  India  should  also  hold  continuous  dialogue  on  organisational  and  institutional 
restructuring  and  reform  of  the  United  Nations,  in  particular  as  regards  the  UN  High-Level 
Panel  on  Threats,  Challenges  and  Change  and  on  the  implementation  of  its  likely  outcome. 
Work should be reinforced to promote effective multilateralism, especially on implementation 
of international obligations and commitments and the strengthening of global governance. 

2.1.2.  Conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction 

India is an important partner in conflict prevention and post-conflict reconstruction. The EU 
should therefore explore means of formalising regular cooperation and further engaging India 
in this area. 

Discussions between senior officials should develop specific initiatives in the following areas: 
training for the civilian components of peace-keeping missions; seminars and other activities 
designed  to  facilitate  conflict  prevention  or  post-conflict  management;  joint  support  of  UN 
conflict  prevention  and  peace-building  efforts,  including  as  regards  improved  analytical 
capacities,  comprehensive  preventive  strategies  and  greater  co-operation  between  EU  and 
Indian components of UN peacekeeping missions. 

Consultation should  take  place  before  major  UN  debates  on  peacekeeping,  conflict 
management and in the preparation of major peace conferences. The EU and India could also 
co-sponsor  a  UN  conference  on  conflict  prevention,  peace-building  and  post-conflict 
management.  It  would  also  be  worth  initiating  a  dialogue  on  the  contribution  of  regional 
integration to conflict prevention. 

2.1.3.  Non-Proliferation of weapons of mass destruction 

We  should  seek  to  increase  cooperation  on  the  non-proliferation  of  weapons  of  mass 
destruction,  where  the  EU  and  India  have  very  similar  positions.  This  could  include  expert 
meetings  to  reinforce  the  consistency  and  effectiveness  of  export  control  measures,  in 
particular  for  dual  use  goods.  Political  dialogue  on  non-proliferation  should  also  be 
reinforced. 

2.1.4.  The fight against terrorism and organised crime 

The  EU  should  cooperate  more  concretely  with  India  in  the  fight  against  terrorism  and 
organised crime, including in UN fora. The Council could reflect on including India in its list 
of  ‘priority  countries’  for  a  ‘strategic  cooperation  agreement’  with  Europol.  The  EU  should 
also  increase  technical  cooperation  ,  through  experts  meetings  and  exchange  of  information 
and  expertise  in  security-related  areas  such  as  money  laundering,  drug  trafficking  and 
chemical presursors. A dialogue should be initiated on document security, civil aviation and 
maritime security. 

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2.1.5.  Migration 

International migration has increased in the face of globalisation. On the positive side, this has 
led  to  increased  migrant  remittances.  However,  there  are  also  growing  problems  of  illegal 
migration and human trafficking. The EU could suggest a comprehensive dialogue covering 
the  following  issues:  root  causes;  legal  migration,  including  labour  migration  and  the 
movement  of  workers;  an  effective  and  preventive  policy  against  illegal  immigration, 
smuggling  of  migrants  and  trafficking  in  human  beings,  including  combatting  networks  of 
smugglers  and  traffickers  and  protecting  victims;  integration  and  fair  treatment  of  third 
country  nationals;  fair  treatment  of  Indian  workers  in  EU  Member  States;  migrant 
remittances;  return  and  re-admission  of  illegally  residing  persons;  visa  issues  of  mutual 
interest; and other migration related subjects of interest to the EU and India. 

2.1.6.  Democracy and human rights  

We  should  extend  our  dialogue  on  Human  Rights  in  a  mutually  respectful  and  constructive 
manner, on the basis of commitments made at the 2003 Athens ministerial meeting. The EU 
should engage India on topics, such as the International Criminal Court, abolition of the death 
penalty,  the  Convention  against  Torture,  gender  discrimination,  child  labour,  labour  rights, 
Corporate  Social  Responsibility  and  religious  freedom.  We  should  also  seek  increased 
cooperation at the UN Third Committee and Commission on Human Rights. Synergies should 
be sought and joint initiatives developed in third countries. 

At  the  same  time,  the  Indian  Government  should  be  invited  to  start  regular  human  rights 
discussions  within  the  ‘Athens’  agreed  format,  including  senior  officials  and  ministerial 
meetings.  Human  rights  consultations  between  the  EU  Heads  of  Missions  (HOMs)  in  New 
Delhi should be intensified and HOMs instructed to produce regular human rights reports with 
recommendations for the EU-India human rights dialogue.  

The Commission is ready to explore funding projects in India under the European Initiative 
for Human Rights and Democracy. 

2.1.7.  Peace, prosperity and stability in South Asia 

South  Asia  faces  some  of  the  biggest  development  challenges  of  the  new  century:  poverty, 
overpopulation,  civil  wars,  and  environmental  problems.  Prospects  look  brighter,  however, 
following the recent decision of the SAARC Summit to move forward on regional integration, 
and with the thaw in relations between India and Pakistan. 

The  EU  is  strongly  committed  to  peace  and  stability  in  South  Asia.  It  has  consistently 
encouraged  dialogue  between  India  and  Pakistan,  condemned  all  forms  of  terrorism  and 
violence and expressed its readiness to support a peace process. While Kashmir is primarily a 
bilateral issue with international implications, the EU can offer its own unique experience as 
an example of building peace and forging partnerships. 

In addition, the EU should develop a regional approach to relations with South Asia. A South 
Asia strategy paper could be formulated, which should set out how the EU could contribute to 
peace, security and prosperity and support regional integration. We could also explore South 
Asian  participation  in  programmes  designed  to  strengthen  mutual  understanding  and  civil 
society co-operation between the EU and India. 

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2.2. 

Strengthening the Economic Partnership 

The EU is India’s largest trading partner and main source of foreign inward investment, but 
India  is  only  the  EU’s  14th  trading  partner,  behind  countries  like  China,  Brazil  and  South 
Africa. Trade and investment volumes are clearly below potential. 

The  EU  and  India  need  to  take  action  on  many  fronts,  including  through  greater  market 
opening  and  economic  reform  on  India’s  side.  Trade,  investment,  competition  and 
industrialisation are key factors, while taking account of wider societal needs (environment, 
consumer protection, social and economic cohesion etc.).  

If  the  potential  of  the  Indian  market  is  to  be  realised,  India  must  continue  and  speed  up 
economic reforms. India needs to tackle high and discriminatory tariffs/taxes, numerous non-
tariff  barriers,  FDI  restrictions,  lack  of  IPR  protection,  as  well  as  major  improvements  in 
infrastructure. 

2.2.1. 

Strategic policy dialogue 

Strategic policy dialogues should initially focus on two areas: regulatory and industrial policy; 
and the environment. 

A  new  dialogue  should  be  established  on  regulatory  and  industrial  policy  to  improve 
business  competitiveness  on  both  sides.  Exchanges  of  good  regulatory  practices  and  good 
governance  should  be  promoted  through  bilateral  consultation  and  international  fora  (  e.g. 
OECD).  The  EU  should  also  cooperate  with  India  in  the  implementation  of  its  new 
Competition Law.  

On the environment, the EU should invite India to meet annually in the Joint Working Group 
on Environment and to develop high level  visits.  India and the  EU should work  together to 
promote  co-operation  on  global  environmental  challenges,  like  the  UN  Conventions  on 
Biological  Diversity,  where  an  alliance  could  be  forged  on  “protected  areas”  and  a 
constructive dialogue developed on “Access and Benefit Sharing” (ABS); the UN Framework 
Convention  on  Climate  Change  and  the  Kyoto  Protocol;  or  the  Montreal  Protocol  on 
Substances that deplete the Ozone Layer. India should also be invited to organise an EU-India 
Environment Forum, including civil society and business, in order to exchange views, know-
how and scientific or technical information on environmental issues. 

2.2.2. 

Strategic sectoral dialogues 

In many areas, dialogue with India has already made considerable progress. Strategic sectoral 
dialogues should be developed to continue and extend this progress.  

The EU and India already have an extensive Information Society dialogue. This should be 
further  strengthened  to  exchange  best  practices  and  address  market  access  concerns  on 
regulatory 
for  electronic 
communications  (e.g.  mobile  aspects,  universal  service).  We  could  also  envisage  pilot 
projects in social priority sectors (health, education and “government on line”). 

(internet  governance,  privacy,  security)  and 

frameworks 

In transport, the EU should be ready to support India in making substantial efforts to upgrade 
roads, airports, ports and other sectors. The Maritime Agreement currently under negotiation 
will  provide  a  legal  framework  for  the  development  of  EU  and  Indian  shipping  companies. 

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Cooperation on air transport should be enhanced, in particular through negotiation of  an air 
transport agreement.  

India’s current energy policy is based on overstretched domestic coal production. The EU and 
India  should  embark  in  an  energy  dialogue  to  consider  alternative  fuel  chain  (clean  coal 
technology;  hydropower;  new  and  renewable  energies;  nuclear)  and  horizontal  (regulatory, 
financial, political and social) issues. 

Indian biotechnology has grown rapidly in recent years creating opportunities for partnership 
in  areas  such  as  new  discoveries,  preclinical/clinical  trials  and  bio-informatics.  The  EU  and 
India  could  therefore  engage  in  a  dialogue  about  the  regulatory  framework  and  exchange 
information  on  best  practice  in  funding,  research,  public  control,  environmental  concerns, 
customs and excise, technical exchange programmes, and infrastructure support institutions. 

The EU and India are cooperating closely on Galileo, the European global satellite navigation 
system. They should step up work between the European Space Agency and the Indian Space 
Research Organisation, in particular on regulatory, industrial and market development issues. 

New opportunities exist for building a space partnership with India. A wider dialogue could 
be  opened  in  areas  such  as  Global  Monitoring  for  Environment  and  Security  (GMES), 
satellite telecommunications, as well as in space science and technology. 

2.2.3.  Boosting Trade and Investment 

Trade and investment is a cornerstone of the EU-India relationship.  

At the Multilateral level, the EU and India are key players in the WTO and stand to benefit 
from the successful conclusion of the Doha Development Agenda (DDA). Both have a clear 
responsibility and common interest in working together and should pursue the DDA as matter 
of first priority. The EU should therefore seek to achieve greater convergence with India on 
the key issues crucial to a positive conclusion of the DDA, such as the rules area, including 
the  Singapore  Issues,  GATS,  Agriculture,  Non-agricultural  market  access,Geographical 
Indications, Special and Differential Treatment and Implementation.. India's efforts to achieve 
full compliance with WTO rules should be supported, in particular as regards trade defence 
instruments and the TRIPs Agreement. 

At the Bilateral level, the EU and India should hold a dialogue on investment, to build on the 
recommendations from the Joint Initiative, with central involvement and input of business and 
academia.  A  dialogue  on  intellectual  property  rights  would  aim  to  achieve  a  common 
understanding on TRIPS, other relevant international agreements and enforcement issues. The 
EU  should  also  encourage  India  to  engage  in  an  expert  level  dialogue  on  trade  defence 
instruments, to discuss implementation practices and compliance with WTO rules. 

The  EU  should  reinforce  co-operation  with  India  on  technical  barriers  to  trade  and  sanitary 
and  phyto-sanitary  matters,  through  exchange  of  information  on  legislation,  certification, 
inspection and accreditation procedures, and by simplifying administrative burdens. An EC-
India  Officials  Working  group  on  Technical  Regulations,  Standards  and  Conformity 
Assessment could be envisaged. The EC would also be ready to provide technical assistance 
to the Government of India, if so requested. 

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The  EU-India  Customs  co-operation  agreement  should  be  exploited  to  the  full  to  find 
solutions  to  problems  facing  EU  and  Indian  companies,  including  as  regards  paperless 
customs  processing  and  higher  levels  of  security.  The  EU  and  India  should  also  establish  a 
One Stop Shop facility to provide both parties’ private sector with comprehensive information 
and  advice  on  customs  procedures,  duties  and  taxes,  standards  and  technical  regulations, 
investment  rules,  IPR  etc.  This  could  include  a  facility  to  promote  investment  opportunities 
and SME matching services.  

Sustainable  development  should  be  promoted  through  dialogue,  including  on  encouraging 
trade flows in sustainably produced goods. Mutual understanding of issues like labelling and 
sustainable  impact  assessment  should  be  further  developed,  and  better  use  made  of  the 
Sustainable Trade and Innovation Centre (STIC). 

These  ideas  could  be  further  developed  by  a  joint  study  group  of  officials,  with  close 
involvement of business and academia. 

The Commission is also keen to encourage South Asian regional cooperation. The EU should 
invite SAARC to develop co-operation on trade and economic integration; provide technical 
and other assistance; and move towards negotiating a Cooperation Agreement with SAARC. 

2.2.4.  Boosting business-to-business co-operation 

Since February 2001, the Joint Initiative for Enhancing Trade and Investment has contributed 
to mutual understanding of opportunities and obstacles to trade and investment, and enabled a 
direct dialogue between business and policy-makers. The EU should help to create a ‘business 
leaders’  Round  Table;  develop  networks  for  sectoral  industrial  co-operation  and  investment 
promotion;  and  let  business  dialogue  develop  in  all  areas  of  joint  interest,  including  IT, 
biotechnology and pharmaceuticals, e-commerce, outsourcing, textiles and clothing, the retail 
sector,  audiovisual/cultural  matters,  tourism  and  the  motor  industry.  In  some  areas,  such  as 
biotechnology  and  telecommunications,  the  business  dialogue  should  take  place  in  parallel 
with official strategic dialogue. 

2.2.5.  Building on synergies in science and technology 

There  is  enormous  potential  for  EU-India  collaboration  in science  and  technology.  India 
participates  in  the  EU’s  Sixth  Framework  Research  Programme,  and  a  Scientific  and 
Technological Cooperation Agreement provides the legal framework for cooperation between 
scientists. The parties have also agreed to formalize India’s participation in GALILEO.  

Participation of Indian researchers in the EU’s 6th Framework Programme and participation of 
EU scientists in Indian research should be promoted and further contacts established between 
research organisations and individual researchers. India should participate in the development 
of the 7th Framework Programme. We should also explore other areas of collaboration, such 
as joint research on fusion energy. 

2.2.6.  Finance and monetary affairs 

India is not part of the Asia Europe Meeting’s (ASEM) discussions with the EU on monetary 
and finance policies. The EU should therefore invite India to establish regular consultations at 
Ministerial  Troika  level  on  matters  of  common  interest,  such  as  the  international  financial 

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architecture,  effective  implementation  of  existing  supervisory  principles  and  regulations, 
combating fraud, money laundering etc. 

2.3. 

Development Cooperation 

Since  the  1970s,  India  has  significantly  improved  the  well  being  of  its  people,  with 
remarkable progress in human development indicators. However, poverty is still widespread, 
unemployment or underemployment is high and vast disparities persist in per capita income. 
Human  development  indicators  remain  poor,  particularly  for  tribal  people  and  scheduled 
castes. At the same time, India is becoming an atypical actor in development policy: recipient 
and  donor,  user  of  developmental  innovations  and  exporter  of  generic  medicines  and  new 
biotechnology solutions. India has recently reduced the number of bilateral donors to six (US, 
Russia, Japan, UK, Germany and the EC). The consequent reduction in soft loans and grants 
should  lead  to  more  focused  interventions  to  help  reform  Indian  institutions  and  develop 
sound policies.  

The EU must help India to meet the Millennium Development Goals. Innovative steps could 
be envisaged, complementing India’s Development Policy, with special attention to improved 
governance and environmental sustainability. Co-ordination with other EU donors should be 
strengthened,  including  with  those  Member  States  no  longer  maintaining  development 
programmes in India. Social and economic cohesion could be identified as a priority topic for 
a  future  strategy,  based  on  the  experience  gained  in  the  State  Partnerships  and  the  sector 
support  programmes,  particularly  for  elementary  eduction  and  basic  health.  The  EU  could 
also share its experience of social security systems.  

More  generally,  EU  development  co-operation  should  increasingly  focus  on  helping 
marginalised groups to participate fully in society. The EU should support OECD guidelines 
on  multinational  enterprises  for  EU  companies  operating  in  India;  and  the  ratification, 
implementation and promotion of the fundamental ILO conventions, especially on freedom of 
association  and  child  labour.  The  EU  could  also  organise  seminars  and  training  for  India’s 
civil servants and promote debate in civil society on development and globalisation.  

2.4.  Mutual Understanding  

There is good understanding between the European Parliament and the Indian Parliament, the 
Lok  Sabha,  but  formal  visits  and  other  concrete  interaction  have  been  less  frequent  than 
expected.  Besides  high-level  meetings,  both  Parliaments  should  reflect  on  holding  regular, 
institutionalised  Parliamentary  exchanges  between  the  EP  Delegation  on  South  Asia  and 
SAARC and its Indian counterparts. 

The  Commission  has  already  set  up  instruments  for  academic  contacts  and  exchanges:  a 
European  Studies  Programme  at  the  Jawaharlal  Nehru  University  in  New  Delhi,  the  ‘Asia 
Link’ programme and the Economic Cross Cultural programme. In synergy with the Erasmus 
Mundus  programme,  the  Commission  is  now  developing  a  Scholarship  Programme  worth 
€33million,  as  from  academic  year  2005/2006,  to  focus  on  postgraduate  studies  for  Indian 
students. European Studies in Indian Universities and Indian Studies in European Universities 
should also be promoted. 

In  the  cultural  field,  cooperation  in  all  disciplines,  notably  film  and  music,  should  be 
reinforced,  including  with  regard  to  cultural  industries.  Those  Member  States  who  have 
cultural institutes in India should lead the way and stakeholders should be invited to make full 

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use of relevant EC programmes to promote cooperation . The Cultural Week should become a 
fixture of future Summits. Cultural cooperation and intercultural dialogue should also be held 
at the multilateral level, in particular through a UNESCO Convention for worldwide cultural 
diversity.  

Much  remains  to  be  done  to  increase  reciprocal  visibility.  Indian  public  opinion  needs  to 
receive information about the EU’s many facets beyond trade issues. Close cooperation and 
coordination  between  all  Member  States  and  Institutions  will  be  crucial,  and  sufficient 
resources  should  be  devoted  to  this  task.  Member  States’  diplomatic  and  cultural 
representatives in Delhi should report on EU visibility and contribute to a future awareness-
raising  and  communication  strategy.  The  Commission  will  launch  a  research  project  to 
identify  target  audiences,  key  messages,  main  instruments  and  how  best  to  deploy  them. 
Member  States  and  the  European  Parliament  are  invited  to  contribute  to  this  work. 
Information  should  be  exchanged  on  high  level  visits,  and  all  high  level  EU  visitors  should 
promote  the  EU  in  India.  The  Government  of  India  should  be  encouraged  to  visit  EU 
Institutions  as  often  as  possible,  and  India  would  be  expected  to  devise  its  own 
communications strategy. 

2.5. 

Institutional Architecture 

The  1994  Cooperation  Agreement,  the  1993  Joint  Political  Statement  and  the  2000  Lisbon 
Summit  have  defined  the  institutional  architecture  of  EU-India  relations.  Our  evolving 
partnership has created a complex structure of meetings at different levels in virtually all areas 
of interest and cooperation. It is now time to streamline and increase its effectiveness. To this 
effect, a number of initiatives could be taken.  

Summits and ministerial meetings should focus on a limited set of strategic priorities, with 
Summits  providing  overall  guidance  and  concentrating  on  central  issues.  The  Joint 
Commission  should  follow  activities  across  the  whole  range  of  our  partnership.  Under  its 
guidance,  clear  objectives,  subject  to  regular  review,  should  be  established  for  temporary 
working  groups  and  permanent  sub-Commissions.  Biennial  meeting  calendars  should  be 
drawn  up  to  ensure  proper  sequencing  of  meetings.  In  addition,  brainstorming  sessions 
should become a regular feature of informal dialogue and interaction. 

EU  and  Indian  missions  should  meet  regularly  and  work  together  in  UN  sites.  Regular 
meetings  could  be  held  between  EU  Heads  of  Mission  and  Indian  Ministers  and  their 
respective officials, and workshops or seminars set up with think tanks or academics.  

The  Round  Table  should  be  fully  integrated  into  the  institutional  architecture.  Co-chairs 
should be invited to present non-binding policy recommendations at the Summit. Additional 
mechanisms should  be set  up  to enhance interaction between  civil society, and in  particular 
businesses, think tanks and NGOs. 

EU-India relations should also regularly feature on Council agendas. 

3. 

IMPLEMENTATION AND FOLLOW-UP 

The  Commission  invites  the  Council,  the  European  Parliament  and  the  European 
Economic and Social Committee to endorse the main thrust of this Communication and 
the attached Commission services working document. 

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The  Commission  hopes  that  this  will  be  the  starting  point  of  collective  reflection  on  up-
grading  EU-India  relations  to  a  truly  strategic  partnership.  The  main  orientations  emerging 
from  debate  on  this  Communication  could  be  presented  at  the  5th  EU-India  Summit,  where 
India  may  well  respond  with  its  own  policy  paper. Both could form the basis  for a seminar 
between  both  sides’  main  stakeholders,  to  produce  non-binding  guidelines  for  a  further 
deepening of EU-India relations in the form of an Action Plan and a new Joint EU-India 
Political Declaration. Both could be endorsed at the 6th EU-India Summit in 2005. 

EN 

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