October 21, 2025

Big news from the global stage! All 27 countries of the European Union have come together and fully backed a new, powerhouse plan to boost ties with India. This strategic agenda shines a bright spotlight on raising cooperation in key sectors like defence, trade, and technology. The European Commission and Kaja Kallas, the EU’s top foreign affairs chief, unveiled this document last month. Fast forward to Monday, the European Council gave it a unanimous thumbs-up, according to EU officials. This spicy new agenda will be officially adopted at the India-EU summit set to take place in New Delhi early next year. What’s cooking? Five sizzling areas that both sides want to focus on: security and defence, connectivity and global issues, prosperity, sustainability, and technology and innovation. A special highlight is the defence sector. The document identifies maritime security, cyber defence, and counterterrorism as hot spots for partnership. Imagine stronger naval patrols, tighter cybersecurity, and joint fights against terror – all under one strategic roof! Connectivity is another star. The agenda pushes for stronger regional ties with big projects like the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC). It also boosts the EU’s Global Gateway and trilateral cooperation with and in third countries. These links will bring swifter trade routes and deeper economic bonds. Trade lovers, hold on! The European Council also cheered the push to seal a “balanced, ambitious, mutually beneficial and economically meaningful free trade agreement” with India by year-end. The deal aims for better market access, chopping down trade barriers, and including sustainable development – a win-win handshake. Security talks are sizzling too. The Council supports growing collaboration on defence, basing it on "mutual trust and respect." There’s even talk about creating a “Security and Defence Partnership” that could boost defence industry teamwork when the time is right. The Council promises to keep working with India on the ongoing crisis caused by Russia’s aggressive war against Ukraine. It strongly backs teaming up to protect multilateralism, the rules-based international order guided by the UN Charter, and the World Trade Organization’s system. And here’s a heartwarming touch – this agenda places huge importance on protecting democratic values, human rights, and the rights of women and children. To quote the Council, “The promotion and protection of democratic values and norms, international law and human rights, including the rights of women and children, is an intrinsic part of the EU-India strategic agenda.” In short, EU and India are cooking up a vibrant recipe for stronger partnerships, global harmony, and a future filled with cooperation and growth. The countdown to the big summit in New Delhi has begun!

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Tags: Eu-india relations, Strategic agenda, Defence cooperation, Free trade agreement, Technology innovation, Global issues,