Areas of Cooperation
- Historical Relations
- 1962: Diplomatic relations were established between India and the European Economic Community (EEC), the predecessor to the EU.
- 1973: India opens its first diplomatic mission to the EEC in Brussels.
- Strategic Partnership:
- 2000: The India-EU Summit in Lisbon lays the groundwork for a strategic partnership.
- 2004: India and the EU declared a “Strategic Partnership,” reflecting shared values and interests.
- 2005: Adoption of the Joint Action Plan to enhance cooperation across various sectors.
- Economic Cooperation:
- 2007: Launch of negotiations for the India-EU Broad-based Trade and Investment Agreement (BTIA) to promote bilateral trade and investment flows.
- 2013: Bilateral trade reaches €100 billion mark, highlighting the growing economic ties.
- 2020: Resumption of talks on the BTIA after a hiatus, signaling renewed efforts to conclude the agreement.
- 2021: The EU is one of India’s largest trading partners, with bilateral trade totaling over €88 billion. India is also the EU’s 10th largest trading partner.
- The EU is also a major source of investment for India, with the EU’s share in foreign investment stock in India increasing from €63.7 billion in 2017 to €87.3 billion in 2020.
- Political Dialogue:
- 2016: The India-EU Summit in Brussels focuses on enhancing political dialogue, cooperation on global challenges, and addressing common concerns.
- 2017: Adoption of the India-EU Joint Statement on Cooperation in Combating Terrorism, reaffirming commitment to counter-terrorism cooperation.
- Cooperation on Global Challenges:
- 2015: India and the EU cooperate closely on climate change, culminating in the Paris Agreement at COP21.
- 2018: Launch of the India-EU Water Partnership to address water-related challenges and promote sustainable water management practices.
- People-to-People Contacts:
- 2017: Celebration of the EU-India Year of Culture to promote cultural exchanges, artistic collaborations, and cultural diplomacy.
- 2018: Launch of the Erasmus+India Program to facilitate student and academic exchanges between India and the EU member states.
- Regional Connectivity and Security:
- 2018: India and the EU affirm commitment to a rules-based international order, freedom of navigation, and respect for sovereignty and territorial integrity.
- 2019: India-EU Foreign Policy and Security Consultations held in New Delhi to discuss regional and global security challenges.
- Cooperation in Science and Technology
- 2001: Signing of the India-EU Joint Science and Technology Cooperation Agreement, laying the foundation for bilateral collaboration in research and innovation.
- 2002: India’s participation in the EU’s Sixth Framework Programme for Research and Technological Development (FP6), facilitating joint research projects and technology transfer.
- 2007: Inclusion of India as an associated country in the EU’s Seventh Framework Programme (FP7), enabling increased funding opportunities for collaborative research initiatives.
- 2016: India becomes an associated country to Horizon 2020, enhancing cooperation in priority areas such as health, energy, environment, and ICT.
- 2017: Launch of capacity building and mobility programs, such as the EU-India Research and Innovation Staff Exchange (RISE) program, to facilitate researcher exchanges, training, and knowledge transfer.
- 2021: Establishment of joint platforms and networks, such as the India-EU Joint Platform for Research and Innovation (JPI), to address shared societal challenges and promote sustainable development goals.
Issues in the Relations
- Trade Negotiations: The progress of negotiations for an India-EU FTA has been slow due to differences in areas like market access and intellectual property rights.
- Non-Tariff barriers: Non-tariff barriers like complex regulations can hinder trade between India and the EU.
- Convergence of Interests: Both India and the EU share concerns about rising China and a rules-based international order. This convergence offers opportunities for deeper cooperation.