EU Council Approves New Strategic Agenda to Boost Defence and Technology Cooperation with India

In a major diplomatic development, the European Union (EU) Council has officially approved a new strategic agenda aimed at expanding cooperation with India in defence, technology, and innovation. This landmark decision sets the stage for a stronger and more structured partnership between New Delhi and Brussels in the years ahead.

According to the EU statement, the agenda is designed to intensify collaboration across defence industries, research, connectivity, sustainability, and emerging technologies. The initiative marks a significant step in aligning the two democratic powers on shared global challenges such as cybersecurity, maritime security, and sustainable development.

The Council’s approval comes ahead of the upcoming EU-India Summit, expected to take place next year, where both sides will formalize this expanded framework. Once adopted, the agenda will guide future engagements, especially under the proposed Security and Defence Partnership, a new institutional platform to drive joint projects and technology transfers.

Beyond defence, the framework also emphasizes economic integration. The EU reiterated its support for ongoing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India, calling it “balanced and mutually beneficial.” Officials hope that the deal could significantly enhance trade, market access, and industrial collaboration between the 27-nation bloc and the world’s fastest-growing major economy.

Diplomatic observers see this as a reflection of India’s growing strategic relevance amid shifting global dynamics. For Europe, closer ties with India help diversify supply chains, enhance strategic presence in the Indo-Pacific, and reduce reliance on traditional partners. For India, it opens opportunities for cutting-edge European defence technology, joint ventures, and research collaboration in AI, robotics, and green defence innovation.

The EU Council also underlined the importance of preserving global stability and multilateralism, reaffirming support for the UN Charter and rules-based international order – principles both sides are keen to defend amid global conflicts and technological rivalries.

This development reinforces India’s position as a central partner in Europe’s Indo-Pacific strategy, while signalling the EU’s intent to play a more proactive role in regional security. The coming months will reveal how the two sides convert this strategic agenda into tangible projects and defence-industrial outcomes.