JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on a New Strategic EU-India Agenda
Date: 2025-09-17
Institutions: European Commission, European External Action Service
Subjects: EU strategy, India, cooperation policy, regional security, strategic partnership (EU)

EN 

  EN 

   EUROPEAN COMMISSION HIGH REPRESENTATIVE OF THE UNION FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND SECURITY POLICY Brussels, 17.9.2025  JOIN(2025) 50 final  JOINT COMMUNICATION TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT AND THE COUNCIL on a New Strategic EU-India Agenda  
 
 
JOINT COMMUNICATION ON A NEW STRATEGIC EU-INDIA AGENDA 

The visit of the College of Commissioners to India in February 2025 laid the foundation for a 
new chapter in EU-India relations. During this landmark visit – the first of its kind to the Indo-
Pacific – both sides committed to raising the Strategic Partnership to a higher level to boost 
shared prosperity, strengthen security, and tackle major global challenges together. 

This Joint Communication sets out a comprehensive strategic agenda that deepens, broadens, 
and  better  coordinates  EU-India  cooperation  –  delivering  mutually  beneficial  and 
transformative outcomes for both partners and for the wider world. 

THE IMPORTANCE OF THE EU-INDIA STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP 

India, the world’s largest democracy and fastest-growing major economy, is a vital partner 
for the EU. The EU welcomes India’s rise as a global power, which creates new opportunities 
for  strategic  cooperation.  India’s  success  benefits  the  EU,  just  as  the  EU’s  success  benefits 
India. 

With over one billion people of working age and a median age of 31, India is set to become the 
world’s third-largest economy by 2030. A rapidly expanding manufacturing and technology 
hub, it hosts 45% of global capability centres and invests heavily in frontier technologies. India 
is a key stakeholder in multilateralism and global governance. It is a leading United Nations 
(UN)  peacekeeping  contributor  and  the  world’s  top  vaccine  producer.  The  third  largest 
greenhouse gas emitter, it has already reached 50% of installed electricity capacity from non-
fossil sources. India is also assuming a growing security role in the Indian Ocean and wider 
Indo-Pacific. 

In  an  increasingly  complex  geopolitical  and  geoeconomic  environment,  closer  EU-India 
cooperation is more important than ever. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, along 
with recent violations of the Union’s airspace, poses an existential threat to European security. 
It is of utmost importance to the EU that any enablement of the war be curtailed.  

Europe and the Indo-Pacific are deeply interconnected, confronted by imperial ambitions 
and regional tensions – including in the Taiwan Strait, the South China Sea and the Red Sea – 
that threaten the rules-based international order, as well as the security and prosperity of both 
regions. This is especially relevant as the EU has a geographic presence in the Indo-Pacific 
through its outermost regions1. The weaponisation of dependencies, unilateral trade practices, 
and widening economic asymmetries further undermine global stability.  

In  this  fragmented  global  landscape,  the  EU  and  India  are  natural  strategic  partners 
committed  to  strengthening  cooperation  across  a  wide  spectrum.  Together,  both  represent 
nearly a quarter of the global gross domestic product and population and have the capacity and 
responsibility  to  shape  global  outcomes:  defending  democratic  values  and  human  rights, 
countering  illegal  territorial  expansion  and  hybrid  threats,  promoting  inclusive  growth, 

1 Outermost regions of La Réunion and Mayotte, and the overseas countries and territories (OCTs) of the French 
Southern and Antarctic Lands, New Caledonia, Wallis and Futuna, and French Polynesia. 

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advancing  climate  and  biodiversity  action,  global  food  and  health  security,  and  accelerating 
progress on the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

Raising the EU-India Strategic Partnership to a higher level is a strategic priority. The 
EU and India have the potential and determination to shape one of the defining partnerships of 
the  21st  century.  While  the  EU  and  India  may  not  align  on  every  issue,  this  partnership  is 
underpinned by converging interests, complementary strengths, and shared political will, 
and can deliver real impact for people in both regions and beyond. 

The  EU  and  India  are  pluralistic  democracies  committed  to  strategic  autonomy,  economic 
resilience, and international stability. Like-minded and trusted partners, both support a rules-
based international order anchored in respect for sovereignty, effective multilateralism, and 
open,  predictable  cooperation.  As  major  trading  partners,  both  have  an  interest  in  working 
together to address global trade distortions, reduce overdependence on any single partner, and 
promote trade diversification. 

The EU and India are mutually enabling partners. Europe’s strengths in trade, capital, and 
innovation complement India’s demographic advantage, market dynamism, and technological 
capabilities.  Together,  the  EU’s  Competitiveness  Compass  and  India’s  Atmanirbhar  Bharat 
initiative provide a solid foundation for deeper cooperation on trade, economic security, and 
the green and digital transitions. Through regulatory expertise, single market access, and joint 
innovation, the EU supports India’s inclusive and sustainable growth – aligning with India’s 
vision  of  becoming  a  developed  country  by  2047.  The  EU’s  Global  Gateway  and  India’s 
growing role as a development partner can amplify the impact of investments in third countries. 

Sixty years after establishing diplomatic ties – and building on more than 30 years of EU-India 
cooperation and 20 years of Strategic Partnership – both sides remain committed to elevating 
the partnership. India is a clear foreign policy priority for the EU and its Member States. 
Recent milestones, including the visit of the College of Commissioners, underscored the EU’s 
ambition to work more closely and effectively with India as a key partner in the Indo-Pacific. 
The visit also delivered concrete agreements as reflected in the Joint Leaders’ Statement2.  

The Joint Communication focuses on deepening cooperation in established areas, broadening 
engagement  across  new  sectors  at  both  bilateral  and  multilateral  level,  and  improving 
coordination to ensure stronger guidance, effective implementation, and greater consistency. 

The Commission and the High Representative propose structuring the new strategic EU-India 
agenda around the below five pillars. 

1.  PROSPERITY  AND  SUSTAINABILITY:  boosting 

investment; 
strengthening supply chains and economic security; and advancing the clean transition 
and resilience. 

trade  and 

2.  TECHNOLOGY  AND  INNOVATION:  supporting  critical  emerging  technologies; 
advancing a conducive digital environment; and promoting research cooperation.  

2 https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/mt/statement_25_647 

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3.  SECURITY  AND  DEFENCE:  deepening  engagement  on  regional  security; 
countering traditional and hybrid threats; and boosting defence industrial cooperation.  

4.  CONNECTIVITY  AND  GLOBAL  ISSUES:  strengthening  regional  connectivity; 
promoting cooperation in third countries; and shaping effective global governance. 

5.  ENABLERS  ACROSS  PILLARS:  expanding  skills  mobility;  promoting  mutual 
institutional 

involving  business  communities;  and 

reinforcing 

understanding; 
architecture.  

1.  PROSPERITY AND SUSTAINABILITY 

In the face of global economic uncertainty, supply chain vulnerabilities, and pressure on the 
rules-based trading system, closer EU-India cooperation is vital. Together, both partners can 
drive  growth,  job  creation,  industrial  development,  and  economic  security  while  advancing 
decarbonisation, circularity, and a fair clean transition to tackle climate change, increase energy 
and  food  security,  reduce  pollution,  and  protect  biodiversity.  India  can  boost  the  EU’s 
competitiveness and resilience, while the EU can support India’s manufacturing and regional 
development ambitions, ensuring that prosperity and sustainability go hand in hand. 

a)  Boosting trade and investment  

The EU is India’s largest trading partner, while India is the EU’s largest one in the Global 
South. In 2024, bilateral trade in goods reached EUR 120 billion – an increase of nearly 90% 
over the past decade. Trade in services adds another EUR 60 billion. Around 6 000 European 
companies operate in India, directly employing 3million people and supporting millions more 
jobs indirectly, making the EU one of India’s top investors. EU foreign direct investment in 
India reached EUR 140 billion in 2023 – almost doubling in five years – while Indian companies 
are expanding  their presence in  the EU, including  through investments  in small  to medium-
sized enterprises (SMEs). 

Despite  this  progress,  significant  untapped  potential  remains.  India  accounts  for  less  than 
2.5% of the EU’s trade in goods and services, and Indian investment in the EU totals only EUR 
10 billion. Key barriers in India include high tariffs, and internal measures that restrict import 
competition, limit foreign direct investment, and constrain business opportunities on both sides. 
Strengthened  regulatory  convergence  and  transparency,  legal  certainty,  fair  trade  practices, 
product  safety,  and  corporate  sustainability  would  help  create  a  more  conducive  business 
environment. A key priority is generating decent job opportunities, particularly for women. 

An  EU-India  Free  Trade  Agreement  (FTA)  substantially  reducing  tariff  and  non-tariff 
barriers  would  unlock  major  trade  and  investment  flows,  ranking  as  one  of  the  largest 
agreements of its kind globally. It would ensure that Indian and European businesses can reap 
the benefits of stable, rules-based exchanges, more integrated supply chains and new export 
outlets, supporting trade diversification. The FTA should combine improved market access with 
clear,  simple,  predictable,  and  enforceable  rules,  as  well  as  robust  sustainable  development 
provisions. Both sides aim to conclude negotiations by the end of 2025.  

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The EU and India should aim to swiftly conclude an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) 
providing  high  standards  of  protection  for  investors  on  both  sides.  In  parallel,  the  EU 
will engage with India to promote stable, resilient, and well-integrated international financial 
includes strengthened  cooperation  on  financial  supervision  –  where a 
markets. This 
Memorandum  of  Understanding  between  the  respective  independent  authorities  on  clearing 
would  be  an  important  tool  to  maintain  financial  stability  –  as  well  as  on  promotion  of 
internationally agreed anti-money laundering standards. Together, these initiatives would help 
promote  a  conducive  investment  environment,  cross-border  investment  flows  and  the 
mobilisation of sustainable and digital finance.  

The EU also proposes to upgrade the bilateral Macroeconomic Dialogue. 

The  conclusion  of  an  Agreement  on  Geographical  Indications  would  improve  trade 
opportunities and boost economic development by ensuring effective protection of names of 
iconic products in both parties’ markets.  

As  India  is  the  fastest  growing  among  the  world’s  largest  civil  aviation  markets,  a 
Comprehensive Air Transport Agreement would deliver economic and consumer benefits. 
This would include more direct flights, lower airfares, stronger tourism and trade links, a more 
level playing field, and closer cooperation on sustainability and green aviation. A Dialogue on 
Aviation should be set up to explore ways to deepen market cooperation. 

The EU is committed to scaling up investments in India through Global Gateway, by de-risking 
private-sector  investment  with  guarantees  and  blended  finance.  The  Team  Europe  Global 
Gateway investment portfolio in India already exceeds EUR 15 billion spanning sectors such 
as  renewable  energy,  water,  urban  transport  and  digital  infrastructure.  Future  projects  could 
expand  into  other  strategic  sectors  to  support  India’s  modernisation,  green  and  digital 
transitions, and strategic value chains, as well as  to promote connectivity in the region. The 
European Investment Bank (EIB) will remain a key player in advancing this agenda.  

b)  Strengthening supply chains and economic security 

Closer  trade  relations  are  essential  to  securing  and  diversifying  value  chains.  As  economic 
security gains importance, the EU and India are becoming indispensable partners in de-risking 
efforts and in building resilient, trustworthy supply chains. The EU’s advanced industrial 
capabilities  and  India’s  expanding  manufacturing  base  are  complementary,  and  closer 
coordination can strengthen both partners’ positions in global value chains. 

Through the Trade and Technology Council (TTC), the EU and India will deepen collaboration 
in key sectors to ensure supply chains that can withstand global disruptions. Priorities include 
full  implementation  of  the  EU-India  Semiconductor  Agreement  (November  2023), 
cooperation on green technologies such as solar energy to reduce over-reliance on subsidised 
third-country suppliers, early warning systems for active pharmaceutical ingredients (API), 
and contingency planning in food supply chains. Looking ahead, cooperation could expand to 
advanced manufacturing and biotechnology. 

The  EU  and  India  should  also  jointly  assess  external  vulnerabilities  and  strategic  trade 
opportunities  to  identify  other  priority  sectors.  Building  on  this,  targeted  collaboration  in 
technical  and  sustainability  standards,  regulatory 
strategic  value  chains  –  covering 

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improvements, innovation, skills development, and investment facilitation with active private-
sector involvement – could deliver tangible results. To operationalise this, the EU proposes the 
creation  of  Blue  Valleys  as  dedicated  platforms  for  selected  value  chains,  designed  to 
accelerate  private-sector  engagement  through  investment  facilitation,  standard  alignment, 
and structured business collaboration. 

A  secure  supply  of  critical  raw  materials  remains  a  strategic  priority  for  sustainable  and 
resilient industrial ecosystems. India’s endorsement of the G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan 
reflects  alignment  on  key  principles,  including  sustainability,  diversification,  and  market 
transparency, and provides a basis for practical cooperation.  

The EU is also ready to engage with India in a Dialogue on Energy Import Diversification 
with the goal of securing reliable and affordable sources. 

Finally, discussions on economic security should be broadened within the TTC to other issues 
such  as  screening  of  foreign  direct  investment,  strengthening  research  security,  and 
preventing technology leakage. 

c)  Advancing the clean transition and resilience 

Building on shared commitments – such as the EU’s 2050 and India’s 2070 net-zero pledges – 
and  technological  capabilities  of  both  sides,  the  EU  and  India  can  accelerate  their  clean 
transition,  advance  decarbonisation,  and  strengthen  global  leadership.  They  can  contribute 
substantially to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement. Continued cooperation in 
renewable  energy,  energy  storage,  smart  grids,  energy  efficiency,  and  renewable  fuels  will 
support  India’s  role  as  a  clean  energy  and  technology  supplier.  Ensuring  resilience  is  also 
essential, including through improved circularity, protected biodiversity, and strengthened food 
and health security. 

The Clean Energy and Climate Partnership has become a key platform and could be further 
strengthened, including to drive forward the deployment and market uptake of green and clean 
energy technologies. The EU will promote EU-India cleantech business exchanges and deepen 
cooperation in key sectors. 

On offshore wind, the EU and India will advance cooperation through EU-India Offshore Wind 
Business Summits to exchange best practices and facilitate B2B engagement, as well as through 
expanded  expertise  exchanges  on  technology  transfer,  know-how,  and  auction  design.  Joint 
efforts will also focus on research and innovation on technologies suited to local conditions, 
while both sides will explore continued support for testing and demonstration facilities, with 
the aim of boost competition and lowering costs. 

Furthermore, the creation of an EU-India Task Force on Green Hydrogen provides an impetus 
to deepen and broaden cooperation. It will support efforts to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors, 
while strengthening trade and economic relations. The Task Force will bring together business, 
industry, academia, and think tanks to foster innovation, knowledge sharing, and technological 
cooperation  on  green  hydrogen  production,  storage,  and  distribution,  as  well  as  on  best 
practices and successful case studies. The EIB, as a member of the India Hydrogen Alliance 
(IH2A), stands ready to support financing and trade links. 

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In  parallel,  cooperation  on  strengthening  power  markets  –  through  instruments  such  as 
contracts  for  difference,  smart  meter  analytics,  and  offtake  agreements  –  can  increase 
investment certainty, reduce energy prices, and accelerate large-scale deployment. Joint efforts 
to  facilitate  offtake  agreements  and  advance  technology  cooperation  in  areas  such  as 
electrolysers, fuel cells, and storage technologies, supported by the exchange of know-how and 
best practices, will further strengthen competitiveness and economies of scale across the clean 
energy value chain. 

Building on the development of green hydrogen production capabilities, the EU and India could 
cooperate to accelerate the decarbonisation of heavy industries, particularly by developing 
low-carbon steel and cement in India. The EU’s work on demand-side measures and product 
labelling can help scale up this still nascent market, while ensuring a level playing field and 
addressing global overcapacity. 

Cooperation  could  also  deepen  on  sustainable  mobility.  India’s  strong  aviation  market, 
renewable energy growth, and biogenic waste potential make it a key partner for sustainable 
aviation fuels (SAF). Advancing cooperation – including through the EU-funded ACT-SAF 
project  – can boost production  of SAF  and position both  partners as  global standard-setters. 
Further collaboration on vehicles’ energy certification methodologies and e-mobility, including 
knowledge exchange and harmonisation of electric vehicle charging standards, could also be 
pursued. 

The  EU  and  India  could  deepen  cooperation  on  sustainable  urbanisation  through  existing 
partnerships, with a focus on cities, businesses, and civil society. Collaboration also includes 
the Global Covenant of Mayors and the International Urban and Regional Cooperation (IURC) 
programme, which fosters city-to-city exchanges.  

The EU and India have an opportunity to cooperate on developing a domestic carbon market 
to  cut  emissions  and  generate  funds  for  the  clean  transition.  India’s  Carbon  Credit  Trading 
Scheme is advancing rapidly, and the EU can share lessons from its Emissions Trading Scheme 
on monitoring, reporting, verification, and sectoral benchmarks. A carbon price effectively paid 
in  India  will  be  deducted  under  the  EU  Carbon  Border  Adjustment  Mechanism  (CBAM) 
financial  adjustment,  which,  being  based  on  carbon  content,  will  favour  Indian  exporters 
decarbonising  their CBAM goods. This  mechanism  is  also  being  simplified to  benefit small 
businesses. 

The EU and India should also advance collaboration on  sustainable finance instruments – 
such  as  green  bonds  –  to  channel  private  capital  into  India’s  clean  transition.  As  a  priority 
country under the EU’s Global Green Bonds Initiative, India will benefit from scaled-up EU 
green credit lines and pipelines of bankable projects, supporting its emergence as a regional hub 
for green capital. 

Under the EU-India Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Partnership, the EU and India 
should  strengthen  dialogue  and  cooperation  on  circular  economy.  By  exchanging  best 
practices and policy approaches, and developing business solutions – particularly in textiles, 
electronics, e-vehicles and batteries, ship recycling and plastics – both partners can accelerate 
the  transition  to  resource-efficient  systems  that  reduce  waste  and  create  jobs.  Ongoing 

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initiatives could pave the way to further collaboration around critical raw materials recycling. 
The  EU  will  explore  options  to  resume  the  EU-India  Environmental  Forum  to  facilitate 
exchanges between government and business stakeholders. 

The  EU  will  strengthen  cooperation  with  India  on  the  bioeconomy,  including  forestry  and 
innovative  material  uses.  Building  on  the  India–EU  Water  Partnership,  both  sides  should 
continue to deepen dialogue and collaboration on river basin management,  water resilience 
and security, floods and droughts, water reuse, and water efficiency. 

The EU is ready to deepen cooperation with India on sustainable agriculture by scaling up 
climate-resilient farming practices, improving soil health and ecosystem productivity, reducing 
stubble  burning,  promoting  bio-waste  use,  and  boosting  competitiveness  through  green 
technologies and inclusive innovations. Building on the Vision for Agriculture and Food, an 
Agrifood Policy Partnership Dialogue, and cooperation on the combination of technological 
innovation with agricultural scale and diversity, could advance global food security and foster 
sustainable agrifood systems 

Taking a One Health approach, the EU is committed to collaborating with Indian disease control 
centres  to  strengthen prevention, preparedness,  and response to  current  and emerging  health 
threats,  while  supporting  sustainable  and  resilient  health  systems.  Building  on  initial 
engagement in vaccine manufacturing and wastewater surveillance, the EU-India partnership 
will expand to strengthened data sharing, with strong public-private collaboration playing a key 
role in driving innovation and scalability. 

Given the increased frequency and intensity of natural disasters aggravated by climate change, 
the EU and India will deepen cooperation on climate adaptation, focusing on preventing and 
reducing  climate  risks,  improving  disaster  preparedness  and  response  capacities,  and 
strengthening 
includes  concluding  an  Administrative 
Arrangement on closer cooperation on disaster management with India’s National Disaster 
Management  Authority  through  policy  dialogue,  technical  engagement,  knowledge-sharing, 
and capacity-building in early warning systems and emergency response. 

infrastructure  resilience.  This 

2.  TECHNOLOGY AND INNOVATION  

The long-term prosperity, competitiveness, and sustainable growth of the EU and India depend 
on  leadership  in  emerging  technologies.  Both  sides  share  ambitions  for  open,  secure,  and 
human-centric innovation. The EU contributes world-class research and digital infrastructure, 
strong industry, robust regulation, and expertise in green and digital technologies, while India 
offers a skilled workforce, vast datasets, a growing digital economy and electronics sector, a 
vibrant startup ecosystem, and expertise in frugal innovation. Cooperation on critical emerging 
technologies, research, and a conducive digital environment will bring tangible benefits to the 
public on both sides. 

a)  Supporting critical emerging technologies 

The  EU  and  India  should  adopt  a  value  chain-wide  approach  to  cooperation  on  critical 
emerging  technologies,  covering  research  and  innovation,  production,  standardisation, 

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regulation, market uptake, skills development, and investment facilitation. As part of the TTC 
architecture, the EU proposes setting up a limited number of EU-India Innovation Hubs – 
dedicated  platforms  on  key  technologies  bringing  together  policymakers,  industry  leaders, 
startups, investors, and experts to identify shared priorities and catalyse innovation.  

These  hubs  would  support  dialogue,  knowledge  exchange,  and  joint  projects  in  critical 
emerging technologies. As they mature, promising technologies from early-stage collaboration 
could  be  advanced  through  Blue  Valleys  to  promote  industrial  deployment  and  accelerate 
private-sector engagement. Initial cooperation could focus on digital technologies, building on 
the EU’s network of European Digital Innovation Hubs. 

Stronger  linkages  between  European  and  Indian  SMEs,  incubators,  and  startups—including 
deep-tech—are essential. The EU proposes an EU-India Startup Partnership, in collaboration 
with the European Innovation Council, Start-up India, and Member States, to promote cross-
border investment, co-creation, and high-potential ventures, leveraging India’s vibrant startup 
ecosystem and EU innovation tools. 

Opportunities  for  cooperation  include  joint  research  and  development,  reciprocal  talent 
exchanges, and strategic joint ventures on advanced semiconductors, focusing on design and 
prototyping for artificial intelligence (AI) applications, leveraging Indian chip design expertise 
and European research infrastructures under the Chips Act. 

The  EU  and  India  are  committed  to  developing  advanced,  trustworthy,  sustainable,  and 
human-centric AI. Cooperation will focus on strategic AI domains, including large language 
models,  multilingual  natural  language  processing  datasets,  AI  training  datasets,  and  AI 
solutions  for  public  goods  such  as  healthcare,  agriculture,  and  climate  action.  Collaboration 
between the European AI Office and India’s National AI Mission will be strengthened, as well 
as cooperation with the India AI Safety Institute to expand AI safety, testing, and evaluation. 

Under the EU-India Administrative Arrangement on High-Performance Computing (HPC), 
collaboration in biomedical research, weather modelling, and natural hazard prediction has been 
launched  between  the  respective  stakeholders,  with  potential  expansion  to  shared  HPC 
capabilities and hybrid quantum-HPC systems. Joint activities could include reciprocal access 
to  facilities,  common  benchmarking  standards,  co-developed  applications  in  simulation, 
optimisation, and machine learning, researcher exchanges, joint doctoral programmes, and co-
funding to accelerate hybrid workflows from proof-of-concept to production. 

As  key  players  in  space  technology,  the  EU  and  India  will  deepen  cooperation  on  earth 
observation, satellite navigation, space surveillance, and communications. A Space Dialogue 
will be launched to advance collaboration and explore space security 

The  protection  of  critical  technologies  must  be  a  shared  priority.  The  EU  and  India  should 
implement  robust  measures  to  prevent  the  unauthorised  transfer  or  misuse  of  sensitive 
technologies  and  knowledge,  ensuring  their  responsible  use  in  support  of  global  stability, 
democratic values, and strategic autonomy. 

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b)  Advancing a conducive digital environment  

Based on future EU-India digital trade rules, the EU aims to deepen cooperation with India to 
create  a  trustworthy,  secure,  fair,  and  interoperable  digital  ecosystem.  This  includes 
strengthened  regulatory  collaboration  on  data  governance,  platform  regulation,  digital 
markets, and cybersecurity – guided by reciprocity, international standards, and human rights. 

The  EU  and  India  should  also  work  together  to  promote  fair  digital  markets,  secure  e-
commerce,  online  privacy,  and  child  protection,  while  combating  illegal  content  and 
systemic risks. Sharing best practices will help balance innovation with responsibility, promote 
digital  literacy,  and  uphold  democratic  values,  freedom  of  speech  and  human  dignity  in  the 
digital age. 

Trusted cross-border data flows are vital for trade, innovation, reliable AI, and cooperation in 
law enforcement and digitisation of justice. There is potential to better connect EU and Indian 
data ecosystems in a secure and compatible manner. The EU will engage with India to promote 
a robust data protection framework and promote convergence in its implementation.  

The EU and India both recognise the importance of deploying secure digital infrastructure, 
particularly secure and trusted 5G/6G networks and submarine and terrestrial cables. The EU 
is ready to share its experience in this area, drawing on instruments such as the 5G Toolbox or 
the recent Communication to strengthen the security and resilience of submarine cables. The 
Memorandum of Understanding between India’s Bharat 6G alliance and the EU’s 6G Smart 
Networks  and  Services  Industry  Association  serves  as  an  example  of  mutually  beneficial 
collaborative efforts to develop secure and trusted telecommunications ecosystems, paving the 
way for the creation of resilient and reliable 6G networks. 

Collaboration  on  digital  public  infrastructure  –  leveraging  India’s  experience  with  large-
scale, inclusive platforms and the EU’s leadership in global standards – can support financial 
inclusion,  digital  identity,  and  efficient  public  service  delivery.  Both  sides  aim  to  enable 
technical interoperability, such as between the European Digital Identity Wallet and India’s 
Adhaar system,  to  facilitate cross-border trade, travel  and data exchanges. They also  aim to 
jointly promote DPI in third countries. 

c)  Promoting research cooperation  

Cooperation  under  EU  research  and  innovation  programmes  provides  opportunities  for 
researchers  and  innovators  in  areas  such  as  digital  technologies,  clean  energy,  water 
management, food and agriculture, health, and emerging technologies such as semiconductors, 
biotechnology  and  advanced  materials,  while  ensuring  women  have  equal  access  to  these 
opportunities.  

Joint research cooperation under Horizon Europe – the EU’s flagship research and innovation 
programme – already exists through exceptional coordinated calls with India, such as on marine 
plastic  litter  and  waste-to-renewable  hydrogen.  However,  India  could  consider  becoming 
associated with Horizon Europe. This would open the door to deeper and more structured 
scientific cooperation, enabling Indian researchers and institutions to participate on  an equal 
footing in collaborative projects across a wide range of fields. It would also improve access for 
Indian researchers to world class European research infrastructures. 

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Building  on  the  Euratom-India  agreement  for  research  and  development  cooperation,  both 
partners  should  promote  collaboration  on  the  peaceful  uses  of  nuclear  energy,  covering 
nuclear  reactor  safety,  radioprotection,  radioactive  waste  management,  nuclear  security, 
safeguards, nuclear science applications, and fusion. The EU and India should also deepen their 
cooperation in the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, of which they are 
both members. 

3.  SECURITY AND DEFENCE  

The  growing  complexity  of  global  security  threats,  rising  geopolitical  tensions,  and  rapid 
technological  change  underscore  the  need  for  closer  EU-India  dialogue  and  cooperation  in 
security and defence. Pressures on global sea lines threaten freedom of navigation, while new 
risks are emerging in cyber, hybrid, and space domains. Emerging disruptive technologies, such 
as  AI,  offer  strategic  advantages  while  raising  challenges  with  respect  to  transparency, 
accountability, and compliance with international law.  

EU-India security and defence cooperation has recently gained momentum, including through 
the  Strategic  Dialogue  on  Foreign  and  Security  Policy  launched  in  June  2025.  Regular 
thematic  dialogues  address  security  and  defence  matters,  maritime  security,  cybersecurity, 
counterterrorism and non proliferation. India is also a key partner in the EU project ‘Enhancing 
Security Cooperation in and with Asia and the Indo-Pacific’ (ESIWA+).  

The  EU  and  India  are  now  exploring  the  creation  of  an  EU-India  Security  and  Defence 
Partnership. This partnership would further deepen strategic consultations and enable closer 
cooperation  and  joint  initiatives  on  shared  priorities  such  as  crisis  management,  maritime 
security,  countering  cyber  and  hybrid  threats,  and  counterterrorism.  It  would  also  facilitate 
defence industrial cooperation.   

The two sides are also launching negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement that 
will facilitate the exchange of classified information and stronger cooperation in areas related 
to security and defence. This could also pave the way for India’s participation in EU security 
and defence initiatives in line with EU Treaty-based frameworks.   

a)  Deepening engagement on regional security 

The  EU’s  increasing  strategic  engagement  in  the  Indo-Pacific  –  especially  its  support  for 
regional partners in comprehensive security areas  – aligns closely with India’s role as a key 
pillar of regional stability and its deepening cooperation with partners including the US, Japan, 
Australia,  and  ASEAN  member  states.  The  two  sides  should  improve  coordination  and 
exchange  views  on  the  links  between  the  Euro-Atlantic  and  Indo-Pacific  regions, 
particularly the connection between the Mediterranean, the Red Sea, and the Indian Ocean as 
key interfaces between the two. 

The  EU’s  participation  in  the  India-launched  Indo-Pacific  Ocean  Initiative  reflects  its 
readiness  to  increase  cooperation  on  shared  priorities  such  as  maritime  ecology,  marine 
resources, capacity-building, disaster preparedness, maritime security, and transport. 

10 

 
 
 
As a Dialogue Partner of the Indian Ocean Rim Association, the EU is also well placed to 
build synergies with India on regional priorities. In 2024, the EU and India agreed to launch 
dedicated Indo-Pacific consultations to improve coordination on common strategic challenges. 

The EU promotes peace and security based on respect  for international law and will further 
engage  with  India  on  all  aspects  of  countering  Russia’s  military  aggression  against 
Ukraine.  In  that  context,  the  EU  will  continue  exploring  ways  of  preventing  re-export  of 
battlefield  items  of  EU  origin  to  Russia  and  sanctions  circumvention,  including  through 
Russia’s shadow fleet and other energy measures. This includes the ongoing dialogue with the 
EU Sanctions Envoy and practical capacity-building initiatives with the private sector. 

Engagement with India on crisis management, in areas of mutual interest, is important, and 
the EU would welcome India’s participation in the EU’s Common Security and Defence Policy 
civilian and military missions. The EU and India should engage in exploring the appropriate 
arrangements for it, in full respect of their respective decision-making processes. 

b)  Countering traditional and hybrid threats 

Maritime security is a cornerstone of regional and global security.  As both sides are relying 
heavily  on  maritime  transport  for  trade  and  connectivity,  it  is  vital  to  secure  sea  lines  of 
communication, protect critical infrastructures and curb the activities of shadow fleet. The EU 
and India are united in their commitment to a free, open, inclusive, and rules-based maritime 
order, including in the Indo-Pacific, in conformity with international law, in particular the UN 
Convention on the Law of the Sea. The EU and India committed to increasing engagement on 
maritime domain awareness to promote shared assessment, coordination and interoperability, 
requiring synergies at many levels. 

The  EU  seeks  to  deepen  cooperation  with  India  in  support  of  regional  maritime  security 
frameworks, helping to strengthen the capacity of coastal states to address shared challenges. 
This includes joint work on maritime domain awareness and strengthened support for regional 
information-sharing  platforms  such  as  the  Regional  Maritime  Information  Fusion  Centre  in 
Madagascar. The EU and India could also work more closely together on capacity-building 
projects for Indian Ocean countries. 

Building  on  existing  collaboration,  including  through  the  naval  operations  EUNAVFOR 
ATALANTA and EUNAVFOR ASPIDES, the EU aims to expand operational cooperation 
with  the  Indian  Navy.  This  could  include  further  joint  exercises,  building  on  the  June  2025 
naval  drill  focused  on  advanced  counter-piracy  operations, 
tactical 
manoeuvres,  and  secure  communications.  Such  exercises  could  involve  other  Indo-Pacific 
partners. The EU will seek to conclude arrangements between the EU naval operations and the 
Indian  Navy  to  facilitate  greater  information  sharing  and  cooperation  in  the  western  Indian 
Ocean. In addition, the EU and India could pursue joint sea activities in other areas of common 
interest such as the Gulf of Guinea. 

interoperability, 

Future  cooperation  should  also  focus  on  protecting  critical  maritime  infrastructure, 
particularly in the face of rising hybrid threats. Engagement through regional structures such as 
the Indian Ocean Commission will be key to addressing these changing security challenges. 
The EU and India should also continue to cooperate on maritime safety, including tackling the 

11 

 
 
threats  to  the  environment  and  to  safe  navigation  posed  by  substandard  shipping  and  risky 
navigation practices.   

The EU proposes deepening collaboration with India on cybersecurity and building resilience 
to hybrid threats, notably through the EU-India Cyber Dialogue, including in areas such as 
security-related research, securing ICT supply chains and favouring trusted digital technologies 
and  vendors.  Cooperation  could  be  strengthened  in  the  areas  of  mutual  legal  assistance  and 
cybercrime, including technology-facilitated gender-based violence.  

The EU and India both face serious terrorist threats. The Pahalgam attack in April 2025 was 
a  tragic  reminder  of  terrorism’s  human  cost.  Both  partners  confront  challenges  linked  to 
terrorism’s connections with organised crime, as well as the need to combat terrorism financing, 
online propaganda, and risks posed by emerging technologies. The EU is committed to further 
strengthening counterterrorism cooperation to assess global threats, counter extremism and 
terrorism  financing,  and  strengthen  collaboration  through  capacity-building  efforts,  joint 
projects, and law-enforcement partnerships.  

On transnational organised crime, the EU aims to strengthen judicial and law enforcement 
cooperation with India. It aims to  implement the Working Arrangement between Europol and 
the Indian Central Bureau of Investigation, which allows both sides to exchange non-personal 
data,  such  as  criminal  methodologies,  trends,  and  other  relevant  intelligence.    This  includes 
India’s connection to Europol’s Secure Information Exchange Network Application. Similarly, 
the EU and India could develop cooperation with Eurojust and the European Public Prosecutor 
Office. This cooperation could be extended to cover the prevention of diversion and trafficking 
of  drug  precursors  used  in  the  illicit  manufacture  of  illicit  drugs  and  new  psychoactive 
substances. 

c)  Boosting defence industrial cooperation 

Strengthening cooperation between the EU’s and India’s defence industries – in line with shared 
security priorities and with due safeguards against technology leakage – can help strengthen 
respective production and technological capabilities, bolster the security of supply chains, 
and  stimulate  innovation  and  competitiveness.  The  EU’s  expertise  in  defence  research, 
development, and manufacturing can support India in strengthening its defence industrial base 
and in diversifying reliable supply chains, while India’s manufacturing capacities could help 
the EU increase arms supply in specific sectors.  

To advance this cooperation, an industry-led EU-India Defence Industry Forum could be 
set  up  to  bring  together  businesses  from  both  sides  to  share  best  practices  and  identify 
opportunities for cooperation. EU and Indian officials would participate as observers. 

4.  CONNECTIVITY AND GLOBAL ISSUES  

As major global players in the G20, the EU and India should strengthen cooperation to defend 
shared  interests,  address  pressing  global  challenges,  and  counterbalance  unsustainable 
development models promoted by others. Both partners are well-positioned to jointly advance 

12 

 
 
 
secure  and  sustainable  regional  connectivity,  development  cooperation  with  and  in  third 
countries, and effective global governance.  

a)  Strengthening regional connectivity 

Both the EU and India have ambitious international connectivity agendas. The EU’s Global 
Gateway  mobilises  EUR  300  billion  globally  to  support  energy,  digital  and  transport 
infrastructure, while India advances initiatives such as MAHASAGAR (Mutual and Holistic 
Advancement for Security and Growth). In 2021, both partners also concluded the EU-India 
Connectivity  Partnership.  Leveraging  these  platforms,  both  partners  are  well-positioned  to 
cooperate  on  strengthening  connectivity  between  Europe,  India,  and  the  broader  region, 
upholding high  standards while unlocking new commercial opportunities for EU and Indian 
businesses alike. 

A flagship example of this strategic collaboration is the India-Middle East-Europe Economic 
Corridor (IMEC). This project seeks to revive historical Eurasian trade routes by integrating 
maritime, rail, digital, energy, and clean hydrogen infrastructure. IMEC aims to diversify trade 
routes,  reduce  strategic  dependencies,  promote  regional  integration,  and  future-proof  supply 
chains, unlocking new economic opportunities across Europe, India, Africa, and beyond. 

The EU is committed to playing a leading role in IMEC, investing through Global Gateway and 
coordinating with Team Europe partners, including the EIB, to support projects ranging from 
feasibility studies to infrastructure development. The EU is willing to cooperate with India 
to promote the regional deployment of secure and sustainable digital infrastructure, including 
secure trusted 5G networks, submarine, and terrestrial cables and satellite connectivity. 

In  the  framework  of  IMEC,  the  EU  is  advancing  the  EU-Africa-India  Digital  Corridor, 
including the 11,700 km Blue Raman submarine cable system connecting Europe to India via 
the Mediterranean, the Middle East and Eastern Africa. This EU initiative will provide ultra-
high-speed, secure, and diversified data connectivity resilient to disruptions caused by natural 
disasters or acts of sabotage.  

Additionally, the EU and India are collaborating to develop Green Shipping Corridors, which 
will  strengthen  sustainable  maritime  connectivity,  reduce  dependency  on  carbon-intensive 
routes and assert joint leadership in shaping global trade and transport standards. 

b)  Promoting cooperation in third countries  

Through  the  EU-India  Administrative  Agreement  signed  in  June  2025,  the  partners 
endeavour  to  jointly  invest  in  projects  supporting  economic  growth,  jobs  and  sustainable 
development in third countries particularly in Africa and South Asia. This collaboration will 
harness the complementary strengths of the EU, India, and their private sectors to maximise the 
impact on the ground and seek to develop innovative market-based financing mechanisms. It 
could involve other like-minded partners. Such cooperation is increasingly crucial in the face 
of shifting aid landscapes and the rise of alternative development models. 

Future trilateral cooperation projects could focus on mutually identified sectors such as clean 
energy infrastructure, green mobility, and digitalisation. The EU and India have also agreed to 

13 

 
 
jointly deploy digital public infrastructures in third countries that work smoothly with EU and 
Indian systems.  

Ongoing initiatives show how EU-India cooperation can deliver tangible benefits for partners. 
For example, the EU and India share the aim of making solar energy technology more accessible 
and  affordable  worldwide  through  the  International  Solar  Alliance  (ISA).  The  EU  is 
supporting ISA’s programme on structuring an international network of Solar Technology and 
Application Resource Centres (STAR-C), which will help improve infrastructure quality and 
promote  markets  for  solar  energy  products  and  services  especially  in  the  least  developed 
African countries. 

The  EU  will  continue  to  engage  with  the  India-led  Coalition  for  Disaster  Resilient 
Infrastructure to help build infrastructure systems that can withstand climate shocks in small 
island  developing  states  across  the  Pacific  Ocean,  the  Caribbean  Sea  and  the  Indian  Ocean. 
Another  new  regional  initiative  will  use  Copernicus  satellite  tools  to  support  disaster  risk 
management in South Asia. 

A  new  EU-India  Partnership  on  Humanitarian  Assistance  based  on  internationally 
recognised humanitarian principles would allow both sides to better coordinate their actions on 
the ground. 

c)  Shaping effective global governance 

The EU and India recognise that effective global institutions are necessary to address common 
challenges and advance shared goals of sustainable and inclusive growth, human rights, and 
peace and security. At a time when these institutions face growing pressures, improved EU-
India coordination in the UN, G20 and other fora – including through regular consultations 
ahead of major events – would strengthen our collective impact. 

Both partners support reforming multilateral institutions to make them more representative 
and fit for today’s challenges. The UN80 initiative provides a platform to advance UN reform 
and  revitalisation,  while  upholding  its  principles  and  implementing  the  Pact  for  the  Future. 
India’s forthcoming chairmanship of BRICS will provide an opportunity to India to promote 
international law, norms and values in international fora.  

The  EU  and  India  share  an  interest  in  an  open,  predictable,  and  rules-based  global  trading 
system. The EU and India should therefore work together towards meaningful World Trade 
Organization  (WTO)  reform  to  set  up  a  more  effective  governance  and  an  updated  trade 
agenda with the view to better address  economic distortions and growing fragmentation. As 
both  partners  share  concern  over  the  financing  gap  for  achieving  the  SDGs,  there  is  an 
opportunity to join forces in building a more inclusive and efficient international financial 
architecture, mobilising resources from all sources while advancing Multilateral Development 
Bank reforms and implementing the Seville Commitment action plan. 

The EU and India should cooperate to implement the Paris Agreement, including successive 
commitments made by the Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention 
on Climate Change, and further raise their decarbonisation ambition through economy-wide, 
greenhouse-gas-inclusive  nationally  determined  contributions.  The  EU  welcomes  the 
expression  of  leadership  in  India’s  intention  to  host  COP33  in  2028.  Building  on  the  G20 

14 

 
 
agreement  under  India’s  chairmanship  to  triple  global  renewable  energy  capacity,  the  two 
partners should jointly accelerate multilateral action on the clean energy transition, including 
in the framework of the Global Energy Transitions Forum, the Leadership Group for Industry 
Transition and the Global Biofuels Alliance, and drive multilateral initiatives aimed to phase 
out fossil fuels.  

The EU will also engage with India to ensure full implementation of the Kunming-Montreal 
Global Biodiversity Framework  and the Global  Water Agenda, promote the adoption of a 
binding Global Plastics Treaty, and exchange on combatting environmental crime, including 
on illegal waste shipping. The EU and India have expressed willingness to cooperate on the 
implementation  of  the  International  Maritime  Organization  Net-Zero  Framework  to 
decarbonise international shipping.  

The  EU  seeks  increased  cooperation  with  India  on  ocean  governance,  including  through  an 
Ocean and Fisheries Dialogue, to promote sustainable resource management, protect marine 
biodiversity, and advance ratification and implementation of the Biodiversity Beyond National 
Jurisdiction Agreement, as well as the designation of new marine protected areas (MPAs) in 
the  Southern  Ocean.  The  EU  would  also  welcome  joint  efforts  in  the  Indian  Ocean  Tuna 
Commission,  India’s  potential  accession  to  the  Port  State  Measures  Agreement  on  Illegal, 
Unreported  and  Unregulated fishing  (IUU),  and  finalising  additional  rules  under  the  WTO 
Fisheries Subsidies Agreement.   

The  EU  and  India  will  continue  to  support  the  World  Health  Organization  (WHO),  work 
together to achieve universal health coverage and cooperate on the EU’s new Global Health 
Resilience Initiative. They will also deepen cooperation to address global hunger and food 
insecurity  through  multilateral  initiatives  such  as  the  Global  Alliance  Against  Hunger  and 
Poverty. 

By  coordinating  closely  in  global  AI  governance  platforms,  the  EU  and  India  could  more 
effectively defend a responsible, human-centric approach to AI. The EU stands ready to work 
with India for a successful AI summit hosted by India in February 2026. 

The EU looks forward to continued engagement with India on human rights matters bilaterally 
and  in  the  multilateral  context.  The  EU  welcomes  India’s  pledges  as  a  candidate  for 
membership of the UN Human Rights Council. Cooperation with India in the UN and other 
multilateral fora should further deepen on stability in cyberspace, the implementation of the 
UN  framework  of  responsible  state  behaviour  in  cyberspace,  and  a  human  rights-based 
approach to counterterrorism. The EU will further coordinate with India on transparency and 
confidence-building measures in outer space, within the framework of the UN Open Ended 
Working Group on Prevention of an Arms Race in Outer Space. It will keep engaging  with 
India  on  upholding  the  multilateral  non-proliferation,  disarmament  and  arms  control 
framework and will encourage India to accede to key treaties such as the Treaty on the Non-
Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons, the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty, and the Arms 
Trade Treaty.  

15 

 
 
 
 
5.  ENABLERS ACROSS PILLARS 

Enablers  across  pillars  are  essential.  These  include  skills  mobility,  knowledge  exchanges, 
business engagement, and institutional cooperation, to maximise interaction, promote mutual 
understanding,  and  ensure  greater  consistency  and  impact  across  economic,  technological, 
security,  and  global  initiatives.  Serving  as  the  connective  tissue  of  the  partnership,  these 
enablers will make it more integrated, resilient, and capable of addressing present and future 
challenges. 

a)  Expanding skills mobility  

Mobility between India and the EU has expanded steadily, strengthening economies, tourism, 
and people-to-people ties. In 2023, 825 000 Indian citizens lived in the EU, the largest group 
receiving EU Blue Cards and intra-corporate transfer permits. Indians are also a major group 
of students, researchers, and Erasmus Mundus scholars. Travel has become easier, with nearly 
one million Schengen visas issued in India in 2024, many as multiple-entry short-stay visas.  

Both  partners  aim  to  manage  migration  sensibly  –  tackling  illegal  flows  while  supporting 
balanced  talent  mobility  that  serves  India’s  development  priorities  and  the  EU’s  economic 
needs, as outlined in the EU-India High-Level Dialogue and the Common Agenda on Migration 
and Mobility. Better data, information sharing, skills development and matching,  along with 
newcomer support will help build a durable network of talent. 

The EU is collaborating with India to launch the first pilot European Legal Gateway Office 
in India, a one-stop hub to provide information and support the movement of workers to the 
EU,  starting  with  the  ICT  sector.  The  Commission  is  coordinating  with  Member  States  and 
industry to ensure a swift, market-aligned launch. The initiative tackles operational barriers, 
responds  to  strong  demand,  and  may  expand  to  digital  skills  in  AI,  data,  quantum,  and 
supercomputing.  

Alongside the trade and investment framework that the FTA is expected to create, the EU and 
India,  involving  interested  Member  States,  could  develop  a  comprehensive  framework  of 
cooperation on mobility to streamline legal migration, support skills development, compare 
skills  and  qualification  frameworks  and  ease  the  movement  of  skilled  workers,  young 
professionals and seasonal workers in shortage sectors. The EU’s upcoming visa strategy will 
also present actions to facilitate the mobility of top students, researchers, and skilled workers.  

The EU and India can expand exchanges of students, academics and researchers through 
initiatives  like  the  Union  of  Skills,  Erasmus+,  including  Erasmus  Mundus  Joint  Master 
Programmes,  and  Marie  Skłodowska-Curie  Actions  (MSCA),  along  with  Indian  funding 
programmes.  New  initiatives  like  the  ‘Choose  Europe  for  Science’  pilot  and  the  co-funding 
mechanism of the Indian Council for Scientific and Industrial Research will boost collaboration. 
The EU will also organise study fairs in India through the ‘Study in Europe’ initiative. 

Indian  institutions  could  join  Erasmus+  Centres  of  Vocational  Excellence  as  associated 
partners, while EU participants should gain easier access to Indian mobility, scholarship, and 
education programmes. In the field of work-based learning, the EU could share its experience 
with the European Alliance for Apprenticeships as a type of initiative to promote high quality 
standards for apprenticeships. 

16 

 
 
To  make  European  education  more  attractive  to  top  Indian  students,  closer  cooperation  is 
needed  between  institutions  to  facilitate  recognition  of  qualifications  and  learning  periods 
abroad. This will support systemic collaboration in higher and vocational education, enabling 
joint programmes, satellite campuses, and language training in India.  

The EU will initiate an  Education and Skills  Dialogue  at  the political  level  that will bring 
together  policymakers,  quality  assurance  authorities,  education  institutions,  and  training 
businesses from both sides, promoting a seamless flow of talent to sectors with a shortage of 
workers. The EU is also exploring legislation to establish common rules for the recognition of 
third-country qualifications and skills. 

b)  Promoting mutual understanding  

Mutual  understanding  among  institutions,  policymakers,  and  the  wider  public  should  be 
promoted  through  initiatives  in  the  domains  of  policy  research,  educational  outreach,  and 
cultural diplomacy.  

Promoting research on contemporary India in Europe and on the EU in India  will help 
deepen knowledge, inform better decision-making and strengthen public awareness. The Jean 
Monnet  actions  under  the  Erasmus+  programme  are  an  important  instrument  to  promote 
teaching, learning, research and debates on various aspects of the EU.  

The EU will set up a new dedicated Jean Monnet network for India under Erasmus+, bringing 
together higher education institutions and other relevant bodies. Further initiatives – such as 
Horizon  funded  projects  or  annual  meetings  of  European  academics  and  experts  on  India  – 
could be envisaged to help promote European understanding of India. 

The  creation  of  collaborative  platforms  to  pair  leading  think  tanks  and  academic 
institutions – covering both regions – would provide structured opportunities for dialogue on 
the new strategic agenda. Such collaborations could generate regular roundtables and produce 
policy  briefings  to  support  evidence-based  policymaking.  Both  partners  should  commit  to 
regular high-level participation in Track 1.5 Dialogues. 

Professional  expertise  could  be  strengthened  through  exchanges  between  early-career 
diplomats and new initiatives for young people to promote contacts between emerging leaders 
and young professionals. 

Finally,  cultural  and  language-based  diplomacy  remains  a  cornerstone  of  mutual 
understanding.  Both  partners  could  expand  initiatives  such  as  the  EU  Film  Festival  and  the 
Long Nights of Literature, featuring authors, artists, and interactive cultural exchanges. 

c)  Involving business communities 

The private sector plays a critical role in creating a pro-business, pro-trade environment and 
driving closer relations between the EU and India. This requires stronger interaction between 
EU and Indian companies, and between companies and policy makers. 

The Federation of European Business in India (FEBI) was set up in 2024, serving as a single 
voice of EU business in India with the aim of improving the ease of doing business through 
policy  recommendations  and  advocacy  with  EU  and  Indian  business  and  government 

17 

 
 
stakeholders.  The  role  of  FEBI  and  its  Indian  association  counterparts  should  be  further 
strengthened.  

In  this  regard,  setting  up  an  EU-India  Business  Forum  could  provide  valuable  business 
perspectives  to  inform  pro-growth  policymaking.  Regular  annual  meetings  –  held  ahead  of 
bilateral summits and key EU-India fora – as well as greater consultation of companies within 
the TTC work strands, would maximise the market uptake of EU-India initiatives.   

Industry delegation visits involving private-sector associations should also be encouraged. 

d)  Reinforcing institutional architecture 

The institutional architecture of EU-India relations should be strengthened to support this new 
comprehensive strategic agenda. 

The EU-India Summit, providing the highest-level oversight over the joint strategic agenda, 
should be held annually. A joint implementation committee at senior officials’ level would 
report to leaders ahead of the annual Summit to support delivery on joint commitments.  

The  Trade  and  Technology  Council  (TTC),  meeting  annually  at  ministerial  level,  would 
oversee prosperity, economic security and sustainability, as well as technology and innovation 
affairs, in pillars 1 and 2, and the Strategic Dialogue will oversee cooperation on security and 
defence, and regional and global issues, in pillars 3 and 4.  

The TTC has provided a coordination platform to address key trade, technology and security 
challenges.  To  ensure  that  the  TTC  has  an  effective  steering  role  in  advancing  a  broader 
strategic agenda, the EU and India should consider upgrading it by expanding participation, 
introducing  a  senior  officials’  process  to  prepare  ministerial  sessions  and  incorporating  a 
business dimension.  

Dedicated ministerial mechanisms provide strategic guidance in specific sectors covered by 
the  strategic  agenda,  while  both  partners  could  establish  new  dialogues  in  areas  such  as 
agrifood policy, aviation, energy import diversification, education and skills, ocean and fishery, 
and space. Members of the Commission are committed to increasing bilateral contacts with 
their Indian counterparts, including in international fora. 

The EU and its Member States – as far as possible within a Team Europe approach including 
the business community – should also broaden outreach to India’s 28 states and eight union 
territories. 

WAY FORWARD  

This Joint Communication sets out a positive and ambitious political vision. Building on the 
2025  Joint  Leaders’  Statement,  it  presents  a  substantial  package  of  concrete  proposals  and 
initiatives that can raise the partnership to a higher level and have  a mutually beneficial and 
transformative impact. 

Building on these proposals, the EU stands ready to work with India on developing a Joint 
EU-India  Comprehensive  Strategic Agenda  which could  be adopted at the next  EU-India 

18 

 
 
 
Summit.  The  EU  looks  forward  to  India’s  engagement  and  concrete  steps  in  this  process, 
ensuring that it is driven by shared priorities, concrete actions, and measurable outcomes.  

The  European  Parliament  and  the  Council  are  invited  to  support  the  new  strategic  agenda 
presented in this Joint Communication.  

19