The European Council on Monday (20 October 2025) endorsed conclusions on the “new EU-India strategic agenda” previously announced by the European Commission, welcoming the “strong impetus” it provides to EU-India relations.
The Belgium-based council, responsible for the overall policy direction and priorities of the 27-member economic bloc, has highlighted efforts by both sides to conclude an India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of the year.
Its conclusions this week confirm a joint communication on a new agenda and its aim to deepen EU-India relations, including on prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity and global issues.
“In particular, the Council welcomes the efforts to conclude a balanced, ambitious, mutually beneficial and economically meaningful Free Trade Agreement, which the European Commission and the Government of India aim to finalize by the end of the year,” the Council said in a statement.
“Such an agreement must include better market access, the removal of trade barriers and provisions on sustainable development,” it said.
The European Council noted that closer cooperation between the EU and India on security and defense issues, based on the principles of mutual trust and respect, is of particular importance against the backdrop of an increasingly complex geopolitical outlook.
“The Council notes the intention to continue working towards the establishment of a security and defense partnership, which could also facilitate industrial cooperation in the field of defence, if necessary,” it states.
It said the EU would continue to engage with India on all aspects of “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine”. It also highlighted the joint capacity and responsibility of the EU and India to protect multilateralism and the rules-based international order at the core of the UN Charter, as well as the multilateral trading system, in particular the World Trade Organization (WTO).
“The promotion and protection of democratic values and norms, international law and human rights, including the rights of women and children, is an integral part of the EU-India strategic agenda,” he added.
The Council called on the European Commission to advance the formulation and implementation of this “New EU-India Strategic Agenda” based on the priorities set out in last month’s Joint Communication.
It followed a visit by the College of EU Commissioners to India in February this year, which laid the groundwork for “a new chapter in EU-India relations”.
During this landmark visit – the first of its kind in the Indo-Pacific – the two sides pledged to elevate the strategic partnership to a higher level to enhance shared prosperity, strengthen security and jointly address major global challenges, the joint statement said.
Published – 20 October 2025 22:10 IST
