India and the European Union held the 11th India-EU Foreign Policy and Security Consultations and the 6th Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in Brussels on November 18 and 19. The two sides reviewed the full range of their bilateral engagement and assessed progress under the “India–EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025,” which concludes this year.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) noted strong momentum in the relationship, highlighted by the visit of the College of Commissioners to India in February, the first EU-India Strategic Dialogue in Brussels in June between HRVP Kallas and External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar, and the EU’s adoption of its Joint Communication on the Strategic Agenda on India in September.
The discussions covered economic security, supply-chain resilience, trade and investment, the Global Gateway initiative, the India-EU Connectivity Partnership, and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). Both sides also examined cooperation in innovation, science and technology, and ways to expand educational and research exchanges.
India and the EU reiterated their shared goal of concluding negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year, and agreed to speed up talks on the Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications. They also reviewed progress under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and said they look forward to the next ministerial meeting in Brussels in 2026.
On global issues, both sides discussed cooperation in multilateral forums and collaboration on humanitarian assistance and disaster resilience, including through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure. The EU took note of India’s upcoming BRICS Chairship in 2026. India and the EU condemned terrorism, including cross-border terrorism, and said they look forward to the next India-EU Human Rights Dialogue.
Security discussions emphasized a free, open, inclusive and peaceful Indo-Pacific, support for a rules-based international order, respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity, and peaceful settlement of disputes. Both sides underlined the need for a comprehensive and lasting peace in Ukraine in line with international law and expressed support for efforts aimed at peace and stability in Gaza.
The consultations also acknowledged shared security challenges and reaffirmed the commitment to deepen dialogue on defence and security, including maritime security, counterterrorism, cyber issues, space, defence industry cooperation, disarmament and non-proliferation. Both sides expressed hope for timely progress on a Security and Defence Partnership and a Security of Information Agreement.
India and the EU also discussed preparations for the next phase of the partnership and said they look forward to adopting a new Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda at the next India-EU Summit in New Delhi next year.
The Foreign Policy and Security Consultations were chaired by Deputy Secretary General for Political Affairs Olof Skoog, and Ministry of External Affairs Secretary (West) Sibi George. The Strategic Partnership Review was chaired by Acting Deputy Secretary General for Economic and Global Issues Olivier Bailly, and Secretary (West).
During his visit, the Indian Secretary (West) also participated in the EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum on November 20-21, delivered a keynote address at an event on critical maritime infrastructure, and spoke at a roundtable on shared prosperity, economic security and digital connectivity.