The European Union on Wednesday unveiled a new strategic agenda to elevate its partnership with India, focusing on trade, technology, defence, and global cooperation. The European Commission and the High Representative adopted a Joint Communication outlining the ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda,’ which seeks to deepen bilateral cooperation, enhance prosperity and security, and address global challenges together.
Announcing the initiative, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said, “Now is the time to focus on reliable partners and double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values. With our new EU–India strategy, we are taking our relationship to the next level – advancing trade, investment, and talent mobility, strengthening economic security, accelerating the clean transition, driving innovation, and deepening industrial cooperation in defence.” She reaffirmed the EU’s commitment to concluding the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India by the end of this year.
The Joint Communication identifies five priority areas – trade and investment, sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, and global connectivity – with proposals to strengthen supply chains, promote emerging technologies, expand cooperation on renewables and green hydrogen, and launch negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement to enable classified data sharing. It also highlights joint efforts in crisis management, maritime security, counterterrorism, and cyber defence, as well as collaboration on global issues such as food security, climate resilience, and multilateral governance.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the new agenda, calling it a “shared commitment, shared goal, and shared responsibility.” In a telephone call with President von der Leyen, PM Modi expressed appreciation for the EU’s initiative and reiterated India’s commitment to finalising the FTA negotiations within the year. He also renewed his invitation for the next India–EU Summit to be held in India in 2026.
The two leaders discussed regional and global developments, including the conflict in Ukraine, and reaffirmed their commitment to an early and peaceful resolution. Von der Leyen also conveyed birthday greetings to the Prime Minister.
The adoption of the new strategic agenda is seen as a major milestone in EU–India relations, aligning both partners in advancing economic security, innovation, and a rules-based international order.
Later in the day, Ursula von der Leyen said in a post on X, “On the day we launched our new EU-India strategy, I had the pleasure of wishing Narendra Modi a very happy birthday. I look forward to visiting India again for our next Summit. Together we’ll open a new chapter in our partnership. We also discussed progress in our ongoing trade talks and how we can work together to effectively support Ukraine’s fight for freedom.”
“Delighted to know about the ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda’ adopted today. India is ready to take the India-EU relationship to the next level. It is our shared commitment, shared goal, and shared responsibility. We remain committed to an early and peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict,” PM Modi replied to the European Commission chief.