EU seeks strategic cooperation with India

BRUSSELS (ANP) – “Closer relations between the European Union and India are vital for strengthening economic security and diversifying supply chains,” said Kallas.

The Commission aims to work more closely in areas such as maritime security, counter-terrorism, and cyber defense. Negotiations are also underway for an agreement on the exchange of classified information and cooperation between the defense industry, Kallas said.

Negotiations are also taking place for a free trade agreement between the EU and India, which means that no import tariffs will be imposed on each other.

However, there are still several major disagreements that “hinder closer ties,” Kallas said. These mainly concern India’s participation in Russian military exercises and India’s purchase of Russian oil.

“Our partnership ultimately is not just about trade, but also about defending a rules-based international order,” the politician said.

Further negotiations will take place in the coming months. The goal is to make concrete agreements on cooperation at an EU-India summit in early 2026.

(September 17, 2025)