India, EU review strategic partnership, push for timely FTA signing
NEW DELHI: India and the European Union held their seventh Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in New Delhi on Monday, reviewing progress on trade, technology, clean energy and connectivity and preparing for future leaders-level engagements.
The meeting was co-chaired by Sibi George, Secretary (West) in India’s Ministry of External Affairs, and Matti Maasikas, Deputy Secretary General for Geoeconomics and Interinstitutional Issues in the European External Action Service, according to a joint press release.
Both sides welcomed what they described as very positive momentum in bilateral relations and reviewed implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda adopted at the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi on Jan. 27, 2026.
Trade and investment dominated the discussions. The two sides reviewed engagements towards boosting cooperation, including the timely signing and implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, and said they would continue work towards concluding an Investment Protection Agreement and an Agreement on Geographical Indications.
They also discussed strengthening supply chains and economic security, including through the Trade and Technology Council and the Blue Valleys initiative.
On the clean transition, both sides renewed commitments to advance cooperation and reviewed actions in that area. They discussed pursuing cooperation to include Indian ship recycling yards that comply with the EU Regulation on Ship Recycling in the bloc’s list of ship recycling facilities.
Cooperation on critical and emerging technologies was also on the agenda, including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, digital public infrastructure, advanced semiconductors, clean tech and biotechnology. The two sides said they were satisfied with deepening research collaboration, including India’s potential association with Horizon Europe.
They underscored the importance of strengthening the connectivity partnership, including the Global Gateway, the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and trilateral projects in clean energy, climate resilience, green mobility and digitalisation. They also agreed to enhance coordination on shaping effective global governance.
The two sides exchanged views on enhancing people-to-people contacts, including talent mobility, education and skills development, and reviewed updates on the European Legal Gateway Office. They also said they looked forward to the next edition of the India-EU Human Rights Dialogue.
Describing each other as trusted, predictable and like-minded partners, India and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to deepen the strategic partnership and to deliver mutually beneficial, concrete and transformative outcomes.
The meeting also provided an opportunity to review preparations for future meetings at leaders’ level. It was agreed to hold the next review meeting in Brussels at a mutually convenient date next year.
