The European Union has rolled out a fresh plan to upgrade its partnership with India, while cautioning that New Delhi’s military ties with Russia and its purchases of Russian oil could complicate closer cooperation.
The “New Strategic EU-India Agenda” was released in Brussels on September 17, 2025, by the European Commission and EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs Kaja Kallas. The document was presented at a press conference alongside Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič.
India a ‘crucial’ partner
Calling India a “crucial” partner, Kallas outlined a wide-ranging agenda covering trade, technology, defence, climate, and security. She said the EU and India “have the potential and determination to shape one of the defining partnerships of the 21st century.”
Talks are already underway on a free trade agreement (FTA), and the EU is negotiating a deal for sharing classified information and boosting defence industry cooperation.
Concerns over Russia ties
Despite optimism, Brussels expressed unease over India’s closeness with Moscow. Kallas warned that India’s participation in Russian military drills and continued oil imports from Russia risk undermining progress in EU-India relations.
“Ultimately, our partnership is not only about trade, but also about defending the rules-based international order,” she said. The EU stressed that any action enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine must be curtailed.
Joint roadmap by 2026
The EU hopes to adopt a joint roadmap with India at the next EU-India summit in early 2026. Trade Commissioner Šefčovič said that while bilateral trade has grown over 90% in the past decade, “we have only scratched the surface.” He acknowledged India’s reputation as a tough negotiator but insisted that more progress is needed, particularly on tariff and regulatory barriers.
The 14th round of trade talks is scheduled for October in Brussels.
India’s response
Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomed the new strategy, saying he was “delighted” by the EU’s adoption of the agenda. He reiterated India’s commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict during a phone call with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The EU, meanwhile, is balancing its push for deeper ties with India while ensuring that New Delhi is not “pushed into Russia’s corner,” as Kallas described.
