EU-India Strategic Partnership

Background

The EU – India bilateral relations date back to the early 1960s with India being among the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community in 1962. The EU-India Cooperation Agreement signed in 1994, opened the way to strengthening bilateral ties. The relationship was upgraded to a "Strategic Partnership" during the 5th summit of India-EU in The Hague in 2004. The year 2024 marked the 20th anniversary of the EU-India Strategic Partnership gaining momentum, as India seeks a multi-polar world and deeper cooperation with the EU. Key areas of focus include trade, the green and digital transitions, connectivity and security.

This opinion examines the opportunities for strengthening ties beyond 2025 and offers recommendations for deepening the EU-India cooperation. The EESC also calls on the European Council, the Commission, and the EU Member States to consider reactivating the EU-India Round Table to enhance civil society engagement.

Key Points

In the opinion the EESC:

  • urges the European Commission to accelerate negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, ensuring a Trade and Sustainable Development (TSD) chapter with a structural role for civil society;
  • proposes to deepen security and defence ties, including joint Research & Development, space and dual-use projects, with a focus on SMEs;
  • recommends strengthening maritime security cooperation in the Western Indian Ocean;
  • suggests boosting cultural and academic exchanges, particularly university and student programmes;
  • advocates for enhanced collaboration in infrastructure, deep-water ports, airports, and energy connectivity;
  • encourages advancing cooperation within the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), with the EESC preparing a dedicated opinion on its prospects.

Additional Information:

EESC section: External Relations Section (REX)

Opinion number: REX/588

Opinion Type: Own-initiative opinion

Rapporteur: Aurel Laurenţiu PLOSCEANU, Employers - GR I/Romania

Date of adoption by section: 10/3/2025

Date of adoption in plenary: 26/3/2025

Result of the vote in plenary: 180 in favour/1 against/1 abstention

Contact

Millie Tsoumani

Press Officer, Tel. +32 2 546 9088, Email: Amalia.Tsoumani@eesc.europa.eu

Tena Vukelic

Policy Officer, Tel. + 32 2 546 9277, Email: Tena.Vukelic@eesc.europa.eu