EU labels India “Indispensable” ahead of landmark New Delhi summit

TDT | Agencies

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The European Union on Wednesday hailed India as an “indispensable” partner for Europe’s economic and security resilience, setting an ambitious tone for a landmark summit in New Delhi next week intended to bridge trade and defense divides.

High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas told the European Parliament that the bloc is ready to deliver a “powerful new agenda” with New Delhi.

The 16th EU-India Summit, scheduled for January 27, will see the adoption of a strategic roadmap toward 2030, marking what officials describe as a “pivotal reset” in ties.

The high-level visit coincides with EU leadership attending India’s Republic Day celebrations as chief guests.

Central to the discussions is the push to finalize a long-pending Free Trade Agreement. Kallas noted that the deal would be crucial for strengthening critical supply chains in semiconductors and pharmaceuticals, sectors that have become geopolitical flashpoints.

She emphasized that the partnership is moving from “words to action” as both democracies face an international order under “unprecedented strain” from conflict and economic fragmentation.

Beyond commerce, the EU expects to sign a new Security and Defence Partnership during the New Delhi visit.

This agreement is set to bolster cooperation in maritime security and counterterrorism, particularly in the Indo-Pacific region.

Kallas underlined that in a more dangerous world, both sides stand to gain from tighter military and cyber-defense coordination, noting that India is becoming a cornerstone of Europe’s strategic calculus.

The summit is also expected to produce a memorandum of understanding on mobility, facilitating the movement of students, researchers, and highly skilled professionals between the two regions.

This framework aims to boost long-term competitiveness through shared innovation in artificial intelligence and green energy.

Kallas acknowledged that while negotiations have been challenging, the shared responsibility to uphold international law makes the deepening of ties a necessity for the 21st century.

As New Delhi prepares to host the EU’s top leadership, the message from Brussels remains clear: India is no longer just a major partner but a vital anchor for stability in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape.