The European Council on Monday (20 October 2025) permitted the European Fee’s earlier conclusions on the New Strategic EU-India Agenda, hailing it as offering a “robust impetus” to relations between the European Union and India.
The Belgium-based Council, which is answerable for the final political course and priorities of the 27-member financial bloc, highlighted efforts by either side to conclude an India-EU Free Commerce Settlement (FTA) by the tip of the yr.
This week’s conclusions assist the brand new agenda and goals of the Joint Communication to deepen the connection between the EU and India, together with on prosperity and sustainability, expertise and innovation, safety and defence, connectivity and international points.
“The Council notably welcomes the efforts by the European Fee and the Authorities of India to conclude a balanced, formidable, mutually useful and economically significant free commerce settlement, which they goal to conclude by the tip of the yr,” the Council mentioned in a press release.
“Such an settlement should embrace provisions on enhanced market entry, elimination of commerce limitations and sustainable improvement.”
The European Council famous that towards the backdrop of an more and more advanced geopolitical outlook, shut cooperation between the EU and India on safety and protection issues, primarily based on the rules of mutual belief and respect, is of explicit significance.
“The Council notes its intention to advance efforts in the direction of establishing a safety and protection partnership, and can also promote protection trade cooperation the place acceptable.”
The EU mentioned it will proceed to interact with India on all facets of “Russia’s battle of aggression towards Ukraine.” He additionally emphasised the joint capability and accountability of the EU and India to safeguard multilateralism and the rules-based worldwide order with the United Nations Constitution at its core, particularly the multilateral buying and selling system such because the World Commerce Group (WTO).
“The promotion and safety of democratic values and norms, worldwide legislation and human rights, together with the rights of girls and youngsters, is a vital a part of the EU-India strategic agenda,” it added.
The Council known as on the European Fee to proceed with the event and implementation of this New EU-India Strategic Agenda, primarily based on the priorities set in final month’s Joint Assertion.
It follows the EU Fee’s go to to India in February this yr, and laid the foundations for a “new chapter in EU-India relations”.
Throughout the landmark go to, the primary of its sort to the Indo-Pacific, the 2 nations pledged to take their strategic partnership to a better degree to advertise shared prosperity, strengthen safety and sort out main international challenges collectively, the joint assertion mentioned.
