EU Pushes Deeper India Ties Despite Russia Concerns.
The European Commission on Wednesday unveiled plans to expand cooperation with India across defense, technology and trade, even as New Delhi’s close links with Moscow remain a sticking point.
Brussels and New Delhi are in the final stretch of free trade talks, which both sides aim to conclude by year-end. The negotiations, revived in 2022, have gained urgency following U.S. President Donald Trump’s re-election and Washington’s tariff push, prompting the EU to diversify its alliances.
Alongside trade deals with Mexico, Mercosur and Indonesia, the EU sees India as a pivotal economic and diplomatic partner. By 2030, India is projected to become the world’s third-largest economy, making its partnership increasingly strategic for Europe.
Tensions, however, persist. India has sharply increased purchases of Russian oil since Moscow’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine and continues joint military engagements with Russia. U.S. officials last week urged G7 and EU nations to consider tariffs on Indian and Chinese imports tied to Russian energy flows.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas admitted there are “clear areas of disagreement,” but stressed that isolating New Delhi risks driving it closer to Moscow. “The question is whether we leave this void to be filled by somebody else or we try to fill it ourselves,” she said.
The EU strategy paper proposes cooperation with India on supply chain security, clean energy, green hydrogen, and research, alongside possible agreements on investment protection and air transport. Brussels is also exploring a defense and security pact with India, similar to those with Japan and South Korea, as well as joint infrastructure projects in Africa and South Asia.
Despite friction over Russia, the EU emphasized that India remains a vital partner in upholding the rules-based international order.
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