Led by President Ursula von der Leyen, the European Commission College visited New Delhi, marking the first EU Commissioners trip outside Europe. The visit reinforces a strategic partnership established since 1962, boosting trade, technology, green energy, defense, and people-to-people ties while counterbalancing China’s influence and enhancing global cooperation and growth.
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The European Commission College of Commissioners, led by President Ursula von der Leyen visited New Delhi.
India established relations with the European Economic Community (predecessor to the EU) in 1962. The 1993 Joint Political Statement and 1994 Cooperation Agreement laid the groundwork for deeper ties.
The relationship was elevated to a Strategic Partnership in 2004 during the 5th India-EU Summit in The Hague.
15 India-EU Summits have been held since 2000, with the 2020 Summit adopting a Roadmap to 2025 to guide cooperation.
The 2021 Leaders’ Meeting relaunched negotiations for a comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and launched a Connectivity Partnership.
This is the first-ever visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India and their first trip outside Europe since taking office in December 2024.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President von der Leyen agreed to elevate cooperation in trade, technology, supply chain resilience, defense, and green transitions.
Trade and Investment
The EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade reaching $135 billion in FY 2023-24 (90% growth over a decade). The EU accounts for 16.6% of India’s FDI inflows ($117.4 billion from April 2000 to September 2024).
Negotiations for an ambitious FTA (stalled since 2007) were revitalized, with a target to conclude by end-2025. Talks also advanced on an Investment Protection Agreement and Geographical Indications.
Technology and Innovation
Trade and Technology Council (TTC) was established in 2022, focusing on AI, semiconductors, green tech, and supply chain resilience. The recent second TTC ministerial meeting in Delhi emphasized collaboration in critical technologies.
Agreements on semiconductor R&D (2023) and high-performance computing (2022) highlight efforts to counterbalance China’s tech dominance.
Green Energy and Sustainability
The EU committed €1 billion to Indian hydrogen projects, aiming to build a green hydrogen ecosystem by 2030. India was the partner country at the 2024 European Hydrogen Week.
Collaborations in renewables and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) aim to diversify supply chains and reduce reliance on traditional routes like the Suez Canal.
Defense and Security
Joint naval exercises (e.g., Gulf of Guinea, 2023) and the ESIWA+ security program target maritime security and countering China’s influence.
Discussions on a Security of Information Agreement (SoIA) and EU’s PESCO projects signal deeper defense ties.
ISRO’s launch of the EU’s PROBA-3 mission (2024) and partnerships on Gaganyaan and Chandrayaan-3 missions exemplify collaboration.
People-to-People Ties
Over 20% of EU Blue Cards (2023-24) went to Indian professionals. More than 6,000 Indian students received Erasmus scholarships in 20 years, and 2,700 researchers were funded by the EU’s Horizon Europe program.
Initiatives like the India-EU Knowledge Partnership and student mobility programs strengthen societal links.
Global and Regional Implications
The partnership aims to balance China’s influence in technology, supply chains, and the Indo-Pacific. The TTC and IMEC are strategic responses to Beijing’s assertiveness.
With the US under President Trump prioritizing direct talks with Russia, Europe seeks India as a reliable partner to navigate geopolitical shifts.
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