India-EU Relations Strengthen as High-Level Delegation Visits New Delhi

Table of Contents☰

What’s in Today’s Article?

Introduction
A Longstanding Partnership
Key Areas of India-EU Cooperation
Conclusion
India-EU Strategic Relations FAQs

Introduction

A high-level delegation of 22 out of 27 European Commissioners, led by European Commission (EC) President Ursula von der Leyen, visited New Delhi for a two-day visit.
This visit, the first of its kind, underscores the deepening engagement between India and the European Union (EU) across multiple sectors, including trade, technology, green energy, and defence.
The visit coincided with meetings of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), bilateral discussions between Indian ministers and EU Commissioners, and a leaders’ summit, all aimed at fostering greater cooperation and investments.

A Longstanding Partnership

India established diplomatic ties with the European Economic Community (EEC)—the forerunner to the EU—in 1962.
Over the decades, relations have expanded significantly, with key milestones including:
- 1993: Signing of the Joint Political Statement.
- 1994: Establishment of the Cooperation Agreement.
- 2000: The first India-EU Summit in Lisbon.
- 2004: Upgrading relations to a Strategic Partnership.
- 2020: Adoption of the India-EU Strategic Partnership Roadmap to 2025.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and EC President Ursula von der Leyen have met multiple times, strengthening diplomatic engagements.
Their discussions have spanned topics like climate action, global trade, and regional security.

Key Areas of India-EU Cooperation

Trade and Investments
- India and the EU have been negotiating a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) for over 15 years, with discussions resuming in 2021.
- The EU remains India’s largest trading partner in goods, with trade increasing by 90% over the past decade.
- Key trade statistics (FY 2023-24):
  - Bilateral trade in goods:$135 billion (Indian exports: $76 billion; imports: $59 billion).
  - Bilateral trade in services:$53 billion (Indian exports: $30 billion; imports: $23 billion).
  - EU’s FDI in India (2000-2024):$117.4 billion (16.6% of total FDI equity inflows).
  - Indian FDI in the EU (2000-2024):$40.04 billion.
- The FTA aims to reduce tariffs, boost investments, and strengthen trade ties between the two economic powerhouses.
Technology and Digital Cooperation
- India and the EU are collaborating on emerging technologies, especially in response to China’s rapid advancements in digital infrastructure.
- The India-EU TTC, launched in 2022, focuses on:
- Digital and Strategic Technologies
- Clean and Green Technologies
- Trade, Investments, and Resilient Supply Chains
- Semiconductor Collaboration: A MoU on semiconductor R&D was signed in November 2023.
- Supercomputing Initiative: India and the EU signed an Intent of Cooperation in High-Performance Computing (HPC) in 2022.
- AI and Cybersecurity: The EU participated in the Global Partnership on AI Summit in New Delhi (2023).
Green Energy Cooperation
- Sustainability is a key pillar of India-EU collaboration, particularly in green hydrogen and renewable energy.
- India-EU Green Hydrogen Cooperation Initiative: India was the exclusive partner at the European Hydrogen Week 2024 in Brussels.
- The European Investment Bank (EIB) has committed €1 billion to fund Indian hydrogen projects.
- Joint efforts are underway to establish a green hydrogen ecosystem in India by 2030.
- These initiatives support India’s Net-Zero by 2070 goal and the EU’s carbon neutrality targets.
Defence and Space Collaboration
- India and the EU have strengthened defence and maritime security cooperation, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region under the Enhanced Security in and with Asia (ESIWA+) program.
- First India-EU Joint Naval Exercise: Held in October 2023 in the Gulf of Guinea.
- Security & Counterterrorism: Both sides collaborate on piracy control, natural disasters, and cyber threats.
- Space Cooperation:
  - ISRO launched EU’s PROBA-3 mission in December 2024.
  - India-EU collaboration on Chandrayaan-3, Aditya-L1, and Gaganyaan missions.
People-to-People Ties
- The Indian diaspora in the EU includes a significant number of students, professionals, and researchers.
- Erasmus Scholarships: Over 6,000 Indian students have received Erasmus scholarships in the past two decades.
- Research Collaboration:2,700+ Indian researchers have been funded by Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions since 2014.
- Workforce Mobility: Indian professionals received 20% of EU Blue Cards in 2023-24, facilitating skilled migration.

Conclusion

The visit of the European Commission College of Commissioners marks a historic milestone in India-EU relations.
By deepening trade, technology, green energy, and defence cooperation, both sides aim to create a robust strategic partnership.
The FTA negotiations, semiconductor R&D, and hydrogen projects will further strengthen bilateral ties, ensuring mutual economic growth and global leadership.
As geopolitical shifts unfold, India and the EU remain committed to building a resilient, sustainable, and secure future together.