India-EU trade deal, economic security take centre stage at strategic partnership review

New Delhi: India and the European Union (EU) have reviewed their cooperation across trade, technology and economic security, with the proposed free trade agreement (FTA) remaining a key focus of bilateral engagement. The discussions took place during the seventh India-EU Strategic Partnership Review Meeting in New Delhi on Monday.

The secretary (west), Sibi George, co-chaired the meeting with Matti Maasikas, the EU’s deputy secretary-general for geoeconomics and interinstitutional Issues. The meeting examined progress across the two sides’ strategic partnership.

In a post on X, Ministry of External Affairs spokesman, Randhir Jaiswal, said the discussions covered the implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda. Trade and investment, supply chains and economic security featured among the key subjects.

The two sides also discussed cooperation in clean transition, critical technologies, research and connectivity. Talent mobility and people-to-people exchanges were also part of the agenda, according to Jaiswal.

The meeting comes as India and the EU prepare to advance their proposed FTA. Negotiations for the agreement concluded earlier this year, with the proposed deal expected to create a market covering more than two billion people and accounting for approximately a quarter of the global economy.

The European council president, Antonio Costa, said last month that prime minister, Narendra Modi, would visit Brussels in December to formally sign the agreement. He announced the proposed visit while speaking at an event organized by the Montreal Council on foreign relations in Canada.

Research cooperation has also gained momentum alongside trade negotiations. On Saturday, India and the EU concluded negotiations for India’s association with Horizon Europe, the European bloc’s flagship research and innovation programme.

According to an official statement, the association will allow Indian researchers, institutions and industries to participate in the programme’s funding calls through collaborative research projects. It will also provide access to European research consortia and advanced research infrastructure.

The initiative builds on existing cooperation under the India-EU Agreement on Science and Technology Cooperation and the India-EU Trade and Technology Council. It is expected to enhance talent mobility and facilitate the joint development of key technologies, standards and solutions.

The latest meeting reflects the expanding scope of India-EU relations, with both sides pursuing closer engagement in economic, technological and research-related areas.