The Ambassador Series
EU-India Strategic Partnership: Towards a Comprehensive Trade Agreement and the Evolving Global Context
17 JULY 2025 | 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM (IST)
Ananta Centre, The Ravi Shankar Centre, 7 Jose Rizal Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi-110021
The India-EU relationship is experiencing new dimensions of cooperation and partnership as the EU shifts its posture in the global order. The EU, from its traditional remit of being a trade powerhouse is diversifying its focus on security and strategic value in the new normal with an increase sense of resilience to shock. With this focal backdrop, the Ananta Centre hosted a conversation between the Ambassador of the EU, Herve Delphin, and Ms. Indrani Bagchi, Chief Executive Officer, Ananta Centre.
In the conversation, several key strategic agendas emerged that underscore the growing significance of the EU–India partnership:
Enhanced collaboration in clean energy and sustainable development, with instruments such as a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) serving as a turbocharger to elevate bilateral economic engagement.
Promoting investments that accelerate India’s decarbonization and economic diversification is an area where key institutions, such as CII and FICCI, can play a pivotal role.
Expanding joint efforts in defence and strategic security to ensure stability in a shifting geopolitical environment.
Encouraging policies that support the movement of professionals, students, and skilled talent to foster innovation and people-to-people ties.
The discussion underscored that EU–India trade is increasingly seen as a positive-sum opportunity, with complementarities driving mutual benefits. Both sides are fostering a resilient partnership through derisking and stable policies. This progress is anchored by Indian innovation and the EU’s strong base of medium-sized enterprises.
Concerns were raised about persistent trade imbalances with China, as the EU faces a €300 billion deficit. On the issue of Russian oil, the EU’s new sanctions aim to limit Russia’s war funding, not global energy flows. India’s discounted oil imports from Russia are seen as responsible and unlikely to strain ties.
Despite rising European support for phasing out Russian energy by 2027, EU–India relations continue to deepen across economic and strategic domains.
