New Delhi:
Ahead of the 16th India–EU Summit scheduled for January 27, the European Union has sent a strong signal that its partnership with India is entering a decisive new phase, with Brussels describing New Delhi as increasingly vital to Europe’s economic strength and global strategy.
Speaking in the European Parliament, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, said India is becoming “indispensable” to Europe’s economic resilience. Her remarks come days before the EU’s top leadership travels to India as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations and for the summit, which is being billed as a turning point in bilateral ties.
Kallas described the upcoming meeting as a “pivotal moment” driven by renewed political momentum on both sides. She argued that at a time when the rules-based international order is under strain from conflict, coercion and economic fragmentation, closer alignment between two major democracies is no longer optional. According to her, both partners share a responsibility to uphold international law, the UN Charter and a multilateral system suited to 21st-century challenges.
A central outcome of the summit will be the adoption of a new, wide-ranging EU–India strategic agenda that will guide the relationship until 2030. Kallas stressed that leaders are aiming to move beyond declarations and endorse concrete, actionable outcomes that translate political intent into practical cooperation.
One of the most closely watched areas is trade. The EU and India are pushing to conclude negotiations on their long-pending Free Trade Agreement, which has been under discussion for years. Kallas said the deal could unlock new market access, dismantle trade barriers and reinforce critical supply chains, particularly in sectors such as clean technology, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors—areas that have taken on strategic importance amid global disruptions.
Security cooperation is also set to expand significantly. The EU has agreed to move ahead with the signing of a dedicated EU–India Security and Defence Partnership during the New Delhi visit. The agreement is expected to deepen collaboration on maritime security, counterterrorism and cyber-defence, and will be complemented by talks on a security of information framework. In an increasingly volatile global environment, Kallas said, closer security coordination will benefit both sides.
Another key pillar of the summit agenda is mobility. The two partners are working towards a memorandum of understanding on a comprehensive framework that would facilitate the movement of students, researchers, seasonal workers and highly skilled professionals. The initiative is also designed to strengthen cooperation in research and innovation, which both see as critical to long-term competitiveness.
Kallas highlighted the growing economic interdependence between the two sides, noting that the European Union is already among India’s largest trading partners. She added that India is emerging as a cornerstone of Europe’s economic resilience, particularly through cooperation on clean energy, climate action, green hydrogen and sustainable manufacturing.
On technology, the EU–India Trade and Technology Council is shaping collaboration in areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure. The shared goal, Kallas said, is to set trusted global standards rather than simply respond to them.
She also underlined the Indo-Pacific dimension of the partnership, arguing that India and Europe can play a stabilising role by supporting open sea lanes, enhancing maritime awareness and resisting coercion in all its forms.
While acknowledging that negotiations on the joint statement and the new strategic agenda have not been without challenges, Kallas said preparations have been focused and constructive. As New Delhi prepares to host the EU’s leadership, Brussels’ message is clear: the relationship with India is no longer framed merely in terms of importance, but as a strategic necessity for Europe’s economic, security and geopolitical future.
