Outlined in a Joint Communication adopted by the European Commission and the High Representative the new strategy is based on five key strategic pillars as goals for European Union (EU)-India partnership.
Five Strategic Pillars
- Prosperity and Sustainability: Drives economic growth, job creation, industrial development, and decarbonization.
- Boosting Trade and Investment: Finalize Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by 2025; Conclude Investment Protection Agreement (IPA), etc.
- Strengthening Supply Chains and Economic Security: Utilize Trade and Technology Council (TTC); Implement EU-India Semiconductor Agreement, etc.
- Advancing Clean Transition and Resilience: E.g. Decarbonize heavy industries like steel and cement, etc.
- Technology and Innovation: Focuses on emerging technologies for open, secure, human-centric innovation.
- Supporting Critical Emerging Technologies: E.g. Establish EU-India Innovation Hubs.
- Advancing a Conducive Digital Environment: E.g. Collaborate on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for service delivery.
- Promoting Research Cooperation: E.g. Collaborate on nuclear energy and ITER.
- Security and Defence: Addresses global security threats, geopolitical tensions, and technological change. E.g. Coordinate on Indo-Pacific and promote rules-based maritime order.
- Connectivity and Global Issues: Strengthens regional connectivity, cooperation in third countries (such as Africa), and global governance. E.g. Collaborate via EU’s Global Gateway and India’s MAHASAGAR.
- Enablers Across Pillars: Enhances skills mobility, knowledge exchanges, business engagement, and institutional cooperation.
However, India’s military exercises with Russia and purchase of Russian oil have also been highlighted by the EU as potential obstacles to the deepening of the relationship between EU and India.
