India-EU Ties Deepen with Launch of Strategic Cooperation Plan

The European Union (EU) revealed its new strategic agenda aimed at extending, among other things, its cooperation with India in the areas of defence, trade energy, and global challenges. The agenda portrays an essential feature of the EU-India ties in the course of the shifting dynamics of the global political scene and aims to secure the upturn, safety, and climate-friendly growth in the future.

Talking about the agenda which was put forward by the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen, she referred to India as a “dependable partner” and declared that the agenda would make the Indian-EU relations better.

“The EU-India strategy we have just adopted is grounded on the partnering with common interests and values. India is the biggest trade partner in Europe, and we are eager to get our Free Trade Agreement concluded by the end of this year,” she said, likewise emphasising that Europe is prepared to put money into a future that is common with India.

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All the 27 member states of the EU will have to ratify the New Strategic EU-India Agenda before it is officially adopted at the forthcoming India-EU summit in early 2026. Among many others, the idea in defense specifies comprehensive presentation to the various security issues such as surface safety, cyber defense, terrorism fight, and information exchange on classified matter.

Additions to the idea mentioned by them include joint efforts in the Indo-Pacific, hybrid threat, space security, and countermeasures to the war of Russia in Ukraine.

The agenda acknowledges these initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and the Global Gateway published by the EU, showing the commitment of the parties, resulting from the regional connectivity and the growing role of India in the world.