EU rolls out new strategic roadmap for India: Trade, Tech, Defence in focus

• European Union has launched a “New Strategic Agenda for India”.
• Major focus areas:
  • Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by year-end.
  • Enhanced cooperation in trade, technology, security, connectivity, and climate change.
  • Formation of India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
  • EU-India Security and Defence Partnership.
• The FTA with India would be the largest such agreement for the EU anywhere in the world.

Challenges:

• EU has flagged India’s purchase of Russian oil and military cooperation with Russia as concerns.
• Disagreements persist on Ukraine conflict, Russia ties.

Key Personalities:

• Ursula von der Leyen – President of the European Commission.
• Kaja Kallas – High Representative leading EU’s foreign policy.

India-EU Strategic Partnership – Key Highlights:

• Trade & Economy:
  • Push for finalisation of FTA negotiations.
  • Focus on untapped trade and investment potential.
  • Cooperation in startups, Horizon Europe R&D programme.
• Technology:
  • Reinforcement of supply chains.
  • Promotion of emerging technologies and digital issues.
  • Strengthening cooperation via the Trade and Technology Council (TTC).
• Security & Defence:
  • Proposed EU-India Security and Defence Partnership.
  • Cooperation in maritime security, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and industrial defence production.
  • Mention of Russia’s war against Ukraine, EU seeking alignment on sanctions and related policies.
• Mobility & People-to-People:
  • Skills mobility pilot with EU Legal Gateway Office.
  • EU-India Business Forum proposed.
  • Support for civil society, youth, and academic exchanges.