New Delhi: In a transformative step toward reshaping global alliances, the European Union (EU) has launched its “New Strategic EU-India Agenda,” a bold framework unveiled on September 17, 2025, to deepen ties with India across trade, technology, defense, and sustainability. Spearheaded by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas, this agenda arrives at a critical moment as global trade faces turbulence from U.S. tariff policies under President Donald Trump. With bilateral trade already at $135 billion in 2023-24, the EU, India’s largest trading partner, aims to harness India’s economic dynamism and strategic heft to forge a partnership that counters geopolitical uncertainties.
Von der Leyen captured the moment’s urgency: “Now is the time to 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.” Yet, Kallas highlighted potential friction, noting that India’s military exercises with Russia and its purchase of Russian oil pose challenges to deeper ties. “Ultimately, our partnership is not only about trade but also about defending the rules-based international order,” she said, signaling that these issues will shape discussions at the EU-India Summit in early 2026.
A Five-Pillar Vision for Collaboration
The agenda, detailed in a Joint Communication by the European Commission, rests on five strategic pillars designed to amplify economic growth, security, and global influence:
- Prosperity and Sustainability: This pillar focuses on driving economic growth, creating jobs, advancing industrial development, and prioritizing decarbonization. It aligns India’s infrastructure ambitions with the EU’s sustainability goals, fostering green economic models.
- Boosting Trade and Investment: Central to the agenda is the commitment to finalize a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025, alongside an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA). Von der Leyen emphasized, “The free trade agreement with India will be the largest deal of its kind anywhere in the world,” covering 1.9 billion people. Swedish Ambassador Jan Thesleff recently told media that this could be the world’s most expansive trade pact.
- Strengthening Supply Chains and Economic Security: Leveraging the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC), this pillar targets resilient supply chains through initiatives like the EU-India Semiconductor Agreement, addressing global chip shortages and economic vulnerabilities.
- Advancing Clean Transition and Resilience: Focused on decarbonizing heavy industries like steel and cement, this pillar supports India’s green transition with cutting-edge technologies, aligning with the EU’s Green Deal and India’s climate commitments.
- Technology and Innovation: This pillar emphasizes secure, human-centric innovation in emerging technologies. Key initiatives include establishing EU-India Innovation Hubs, collaborating on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI) for efficient service delivery, and advancing research in nuclear energy and the ITER project.
These pillars are underpinned by cross-cutting “enablers” such as skills mobility, knowledge exchanges, business engagement, and institutional cooperation, ensuring a cohesive approach.
Security and Defence: A Strategic Alignment
The agenda’s Security and Defence pillar tackles global threats, from geopolitical tensions to technological disruptions. It prioritizes maritime security, cyber defense, and counterterrorism, with plans to negotiate a Security of Information Agreement to facilitate classified data sharing. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific aims to uphold a rules-based maritime order, while addressing hybrid threats, space security, and Russia’s war in Ukraine—including sanctions and “shadow fleets”—remains a focal point.
Kallas underscored the need to navigate disagreements, particularly India’s Russian ties, stating, “Our negotiations will address these challenges.” The agenda also proposes defense industrial cooperation to boost production, secure supply chains, and drive innovation, reinforcing both partners’ strategic autonomy.
Connectivity and Global Engagement
Under the Connectivity and Global Issues pillar, the agenda strengthens regional connectivity through initiatives like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the EU’s Global Gateway, complementing India’s MAHASAGAR maritime strategy. Trilateral cooperation in regions like Africa aims to amplify development efforts. The EU encourages India to champion international law and global governance in multilateral forums, with a proposed EU-India Business Forum to engage private sectors and a European Legal Gateway Office to ease labor mobility.
A Birthday Call and Summit Plans
The agenda’s launch coincided with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s birthday, prompting a call from Von der Leyen. Modi welcomed the strategy, posting on X: “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.” He invited Von der Leyen for the 2026 EU-India Summit in India, a gesture she reciprocated: “I look forward to visiting India again for our next Summit. Together we’ll open a new chapter in our partnership.”
The Prime Minister’s Office highlighted their shared vision for mutual prosperity, global stability, and a rules-based order, reiterating India’s commitment to resolving the Ukraine conflict peacefully. This builds on Modi’s recent talks with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, which also touched on the FTA and Ukraine.
Navigating Challenges and Ratification
The agenda requires ratification by all 27 EU member states, a process that could face hurdles given diverse national priorities. Once ratified, it will be formalized at the 2026 summit, where a joint roadmap will address contentious issues like India’s Russia ties. Kallas noted, “India is one of the most important players in the world today and a natural partner for the EU. Boosting our collaboration will benefit the security and prosperity of citizens and businesses on both sides.”
Global Context: Trade Tensions and Opportunities
The agenda emerges amid U.S.-India trade talks strained by Trump’s tariffs, with recent headlines noting, “Trump trade deadline looms. World watches India, EU talks after Brazil hit.” The EU’s flexibility on the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism for the U.S. underscores its pragmatic approach, making the India partnership a strategic hedge. The agenda also builds on the EU College of Commissioners’ February 2025 India visit, reflecting months of groundwork.
People-to-People and Innovation Synergies
Beyond economics, the agenda fosters human connections through a mobility framework for students, workers, and researchers. It invites India to join the Horizon Europe program and explores an EU-India Startup partnership. Civil society, youth, and think tank engagement, alongside the proposed Business Forum, aim to broaden collaboration.
A New Chapter in EU-India Ties
Von der Leyen’s vision—“Europe is open for business. And we are ready to invest in our shared future with India”—sets the tone for a partnership that transcends trade. As India rises as a global power, the EU sees mutual benefits: India gains access to European tech and capital, while the EU taps into India’s markets and strategic heft. Visuals of EU-India flags and Von der Leyen’s address amplify this narrative of unity.
This agenda is more than a diplomatic milestone; it’s a strategic pivot in a volatile world. With the 2026 summit on the horizon, the EU and India stand poised to redefine global cooperation, balancing shared values with pragmatic navigation of disagreements.
FAQs
1. What is the New Strategic EU-India Agenda announced in September 2025?
The New Strategic EU-India Agenda, unveiled on September 17, 2025, is a comprehensive framework by the European Commission and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas to deepen ties between the EU and India. It focuses on five pillars: Prosperity and Sustainability, Boosting Trade and Investment, Strengthening Supply Chains and Economic Security, Advancing Clean Transition and Resilience, and Technology and Innovation. The agenda aims to enhance economic growth, security, and global cooperation, targeting a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025 and addressing issues like defense, technology, and climate change.
2. Why is the EU pushing for a stronger partnership with India now?
The agenda comes amid shifting geopolitical realities, including trade tensions from U.S. tariffs under President Donald Trump and global supply chain vulnerabilities. With bilateral trade at $135 billion in 2023-24, the EU sees India, the world’s fastest-growing major economy, as a vital partner to diversify trade, secure supply chains, and counterbalance uncertainties. The partnership also leverages India’s rising global influence to address challenges like climate change and Indo-Pacific security.
3. What are the main challenges to the EU-India partnership mentioned in the agenda?
EU High Representative Kaja Kallas highlighted India’s military exercises with Russia and its purchase of Russian oil as obstacles to deeper ties. These actions are seen as conflicting with the EU’s commitment to a rules-based international order, particularly regarding Russia’s war in Ukraine and related sanctions. The EU aims to address these issues through negotiations, with a joint roadmap planned for the EU-India Summit in early 2026.
4. What specific initiatives are included in the agenda to boost trade and technology?
The agenda prioritizes finalizing a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and an Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) by 2025, potentially the world’s largest trade deal covering 1.9 billion people. It strengthens supply chains via the EU-India Trade and Technology Council and a Semiconductor Agreement. Technology initiatives include EU-India Innovation Hubs, collaboration on Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and research partnerships in nuclear energy and the ITER project.
5. How will the agenda impact security and global connectivity?
The Security and Defence pillar focuses on maritime security, cyber defense, counterterrorism, and a Security of Information Agreement for classified data sharing. It emphasizes Indo-Pacific cooperation and addressing Russia’s actions in Ukraine. The Connectivity and Global Issues pillar promotes regional projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and EU’s Global Gateway, alongside trilateral cooperation in Africa, to enhance global governance and connectivity.
