EU–India Strategic Agenda 2025

📌 Context

Event: European Commission + EU’s top diplomat Kaja Kallas unveiled “A New Strategic EU–India Agenda” (Sept 17, 2025, Brussels).
Objective: Upgrade ties in trade, technology, defence, climate, security.
Significance: Declared India “a crucial partner” and termed EU–India as “one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century”.
Challenge: EU flagged India’s ties with Russia (oil purchases, military exercises) as potential risks.

EU–India relations have been elevated since the EU–India Strategic Partnership (2004).
Momentum revived during the EU–India Leaders’ Meeting 2021, where negotiations on Free Trade Agreement (FTA), Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) and Geographical Indications (GI) resumed.
Current context: Russia–Ukraine conflict, China’s assertiveness, and trade tensions with U.S. → EU and India see mutual interest in diversifying partnerships.

Trade & Economy
- Negotiation of Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and tariff reduction.
- Focus on agricultural tariffs, Qualitative Control Orders (QCOs), tariff & non-tariff barriers.
- 14th round of talks scheduled (Oct 2025).
Technology & Security
- Negotiations on exchange of classified information.
- Boost defence industrial cooperation.
- Concerns over India’s defence ties with Russia.
Climate & Sustainability
- Joint commitments on clean energy, green technology, carbon reduction.
Geopolitical Engagement
- EU balancing India’s Russia engagement with efforts to “not push India into Russia’s corner”.
- Concerns over India’s relations with China.
High-Level Diplomacy
- Roadmap for adoption at next EU–India summit (early 2026).
- Frequent ministerial engagements: EU trade chief Šefčovič in India; call between PM Modi & EC President von der Leyen.

Oil Purchases from Russia: EU views as “enabling” Russia’s war effort.
Military Exercises (e.g., Zapad-2025): Seen as inconsistent with rules-based international order.
India’s balancing act: Strategic autonomy → maintaining ties with Russia while expanding with West.

Trade has grown 90% in last decade (Šefčovič).
Yet, “scratched the surface” → huge potential in services, digital trade, renewables.
Barriers:
- High tariffs (esp. agriculture).
- Non-tariff barriers (e.g., QCOs).
- Indian negotiators seen as “tough”.

Diversification of partnerships: Reduce over-dependence on U.S. and avoid isolation due to Russia ties.
Access to European technology & markets: Critical for Make in India, digitalisation, climate goals.
Geopolitical balancing: EU partnership strengthens India’s multipolar positioning.
Leverage in negotiations: Both sides use the partnership to gain bargaining power with U.S. and China.

Russia Factor: India’s oil imports, military legacy dependence.
Tariff Negotiations: India protective of agriculture; EU demands “commercially meaningful” access.
Human Rights & Normative Issues: EU often raises democracy, human rights, data protection.
China Factor: EU cautious about India’s “détente” with China.
Internal EU Dynamics: 27-member states differ in approach (some more cautious, others eager).

Balanced Diplomacy: India to pursue strategic autonomy → engage EU without abandoning Russia.
Sectoral Priorities: Focus on green hydrogen, semiconductors, digital regulation, renewable energy.
FTA Breakthrough: Political will required to compromise on tariffs & QCOs.
Institutional Mechanisms: High-level dialogues → defence, technology councils, joint research hubs.
People-to-People ties: Mobility agreements for students, professionals, tourism.

“EU–India relations are increasingly shaped by global geopolitical shifts rather than bilateral issues.” Discuss.
What are the challenges in concluding the EU–India Free Trade Agreement? Evaluate its strategic significance for both sides.
How does India balance its strategic autonomy in the context of growing ties with the EU and continued dependence on Russia?

Ethics: EU’s emphasis on “rules-based international order” vs India’s pragmatic approach.
Essay: “In a multipolar world, partnerships are forged not by alignment of values but by convergence of interests.”