EU unveils new strategic agenda with India; Trade, Tech and Defence at forefront

Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the new strategy, saying India is ready to strengthen ties ‘for mutual prosperity and global stability’.

New Delhi: The European Union has rolled out a new strategic agenda aimed at deepening engagement with India across multiple fronts, even as it raised concerns over New Delhi’s continuing ties with Moscow. The ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda’ is expected to be endorsed by the bloc’s 27 member states by the year-end so it can be adopted at the India-EU Summit in early 2026.

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The new strategy was announced jointly in Brussels by the European Commission and the EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy, Kaja Kallas.
Under this framework, the EU aims to strengthen five factors majorly: security and defence, connectivity and global issues, prosperity, sustainability, and technology and innovation.

India-EU security and defence partnership

While announcing the partnership Kallas said, “Ultimately, our partnership is not only about trade but also about defending the rules-based international order.”
Participating in military exercises, purchases of oil, all these are obstacles to our cooperation when it comes to deepening the ties, she added.

The bloc will strengthen strategic consultations and cooperative efforts on maritime security, cyber defense and counterterrorism, and defense industry cooperation as part of a proposed India-EU security and defense partnership. In order to strengthen defense and security cooperation, the two parties are negotiating a Security of Information Agreement that would allow for the sharing of classified information.

PM Modi response to ‘New Strategic EU-India Agenda’

In response to the partnership, Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the new strategy, saying India was ready to strengthen ties “for mutual prosperity and global stability” and reiterated his invitation for the next summit in India next year.

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As part of its trade and technology pillar, the EU aims to strengthen supply chains, advance cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, and expand engagement on digital matters. The agenda also outlines ambitious plans for decarbonisation and a green transition, while identifying areas to work together on food security and climate resilience.