EU-India Strategic Roadmap 2025: Trade, Tech & Defence Boost

The European Union has recently unveiled a comprehensive new strategic roadmap to deepen and strengthen its partnership with India, focusing on trade, technology, defence, connectivity, and climate cooperation. This significant initiative was announced in September 2025 in Brussels by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas. The plan highlights the EU’s intent to take India relations to the next level by building on shared interests and values, aiming for long-term collaboration amid changing global geopolitics.

The roadmap identifies five key areas for enhanced cooperation:

Trade and Economic Ties: Europe is already India’s largest trading partner. Central to this new agenda is advancing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA), aiming to finalize it by the end of 2025. This deal is expected to be one of the largest of its kind worldwide, promising increased trade, investment, job creation, and innovation on both sides. The roadmap also stresses diversifying supply chains and creating an EU-India Business Forum to boost business-to-business engagement.
Technology and Innovation: The EU and India plan to deepen cooperation on emerging technologies, digital transformation, and critical tech sectors. The initiative includes strengthening the EU-India Trade and Technology Council and encouraging India’s association with the EU’s Horizon Europe research program. There is a particular focus on supporting startups and fostering joint innovation, which could position both partners well in future global tech competition.
Defence and Security: A significant element of the roadmap is establishing a formal EU-India Security and Defence Partnership. It includes joint projects in maritime security, cyber defence, crisis management, counterterrorism, and defence industrial cooperation. The agenda proposes launching negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement to facilitate classified information sharing, which indicates a deeper trust and strategic alignment. Regional security cooperation addresses challenges like hybrid threats, the Indo-Pacific region, and Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Connectivity and Climate Cooperation: The roadmap also points to important efforts to cooperate on green energy, renewable technologies, and sustainable infrastructure, which align with global net-zero goals. Connectivity projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) are crucial to regional integration and economic development. This focus reflects both partners’ commitment to addressing climate change and boosting sustainable growth.
People-to-People and Multilateral Cooperation: Enhanced mobility in study, work, and research between the EU and India is planned, supported by legal and business frameworks. The agenda also stresses collaboration in global and multilateral forums to uphold international law and shared values.

This new EU-India roadmap comes at a time when global power dynamics are rapidly shifting. For the EU, India represents a key partner in maintaining stability and counterbalancing major geopolitical tensions, such as those involving Russia, China, and the US. Europe’s recognition of India’s growing global influence is clear, and this roadmap is a strategic effort to anchor a long-term partnership.

However, the relationship is not without complexities. One notable point of friction is India’s continued purchase of discounted Russian oil and its defence ties with Moscow. These issues have caused some unease in Brussels, given the EU’s stance on isolating Russia over the war in Ukraine. Despite these challenges, the EU emphasizes dialogue, engagement, and pragmatic cooperation as means to navigate differences while advancing mutual interests.

The effort to finalize the FTA faces hurdles too, as previous negotiations have stalled over issues like market access and regulatory alignment. Both sides are cautiously optimistic but recognize the need for compromise to unlock the vast economic potential of closer ties.

Overall, this roadmap reflects EU ambitions to secure a diversified, resilient, and forward-looking partnership with India that balances economic opportunity with geopolitical prudence. It underscores the EU’s intent to work with India not only bilaterally but also in broader regional and global contexts. For India, the partnership offers access to advanced technologies, investment, and a boost to its strategic profile on the world stage.

The EU’s unveiling of its new strategic roadmap with India is a milestone in their bilateral relations, signaling a shift toward deeper cooperation in trade, technology, defence, and sustainability. While the path ahead includes political and economic challenges, the shared interests and values underpinning this agenda offer a solid foundation for a balanced and mutually beneficial partnership. This initiative has the potential to reshape Eurasian geopolitics and global trade relations in the years to come.

With inputs from agencies

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