BRUSSELS

The EU on Wednesday unveiled a new strategic agenda to deepen relations with India, with a focus on trade, security, technology and global cooperation.

“Now is the time to focus on reliable partners and double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values,” European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said in a statement.

“Europe is already India's biggest trading partner, and we are committed to finalizing our Free Trade Agreement by the end of the year. Europe is open for business, and we are ready to invest in our shared future with India,” she added.

The strategy sets five priority areas: trade and investment, technology and innovation, security and defense, regional connectivity, and global issues. It proposes completing free trade talks, strengthening supply chains, advancing clean energy projects, and expanding cooperation on health, food security and innovation.

On security, the agenda highlights the EU-India Security and Defense Partnership, covering crisis management, maritime security, cyber defense, counterterrorism and defense industry collaboration. Brussels also plans talks on a Security of Information Agreement to enable the exchange of classified material.

The plan underscores regional connectivity efforts such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, trilateral cooperation with other partners, and joint engagement in multilateral forums. It also promotes youth programs, skills mobility, and closer business ties through a proposed EU-India Business Forum.

EU Council President Antonio Costa welcomed the agenda on US social media platform X, calling India “a key global actor and a natural strategic partner for the European Union.”

“I look forward to working together with President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Modi towards the next EU-India Summit in early 2026 during which this strengthened partnership should be confirmed,” he wrote.