Brussels: The European Union is moving steadily to cement a stronger alliance with India, eyeing expanded trade, defence, and technology cooperation, even as concerns linger in Brussels over New Delhi’s close engagement with Moscow.
Negotiations for a long-awaited free trade agreement (FTA) between India and the European Union are in their final stages, with officials optimistic that the deal could be concluded by the end of the year. The FTA, relaunched in 2022 after years of deadlock, is expected to cover tariff reductions, investment protections, and expanded connectivity in areas such as aviation. Brussels regards the pact as a keystone in anchoring India more closely to Europe’s economic and strategic frameworks.
Despite this progress, India’s continued ties with Russia remain a delicate matter. New Delhi’s rising imports of Russian oil, its military cooperation with Moscow, and joint appearances of Indian and Russian leaders have caused unease among European policymakers. While EU leaders acknowledge these differences, they are treading carefully. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has underlined that while Russia is a point of contention, Brussels does not want to risk alienating India or pushing it further toward Moscow’s camp.
India’s economic and geopolitical rise is shaping the EU’s approach. Projected to become the world’s third-largest economy by 2030, India is increasingly seen by Brussels as an indispensable partner in global governance, climate action, and technological innovation. Plans are being explored for new cooperation in green hydrogen, decarbonization of heavy industry, and resilient supply chains. At the same time, European officials are discussing potential defence and security agreements with India, similar to the EU’s frameworks with Japan and South Korea.
The EU’s approach reflects a careful balancing act deepening ties with India while quietly pressing it to limit sanction circumvention through Russian trade. Brussels understands the risks: too much pressure could strain the relationship, while too little could undermine the EU’s credibility on Russia. Still, officials argue that keeping India within Europe’s strategic orbit is worth the challenge.
With both sides prioritizing the trade deal’s completion, momentum is building for a broader partnership that extends beyond economics. Brussels hopes to expand cooperation on research, infrastructure development, and defence industry linkages, while also nudging India toward a more aligned stance on international security norms. The coming months, as trade talks enter their decisive phase, will determine how much ground the two sides can cover together despite their differences over Moscow.