Font size:
Print
EU-India Strategic Compact
Context:
The EU-India partnership has seen significant progress, with the Roadmap to 2025 (launched in 2020) serving as a strategic framework to address shared goals.
More on News
- Both parties, as “unions of diversity,” uphold common values of democracy, rule of law, and human rights, aiming to promote a rules-based international order.
- However, as the roadmap approaches its renewal in 2025, the relationship requires deeper collaboration to address unresolved challenges and adapt to a rapidly changing global context, including Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, China’s authoritarian rise and Geopolitical shifts following Donald Trump’s re-election.
The Need for a New Strategic Compact
The EU-India partnership must go beyond the existing roadmap to address limitations and explore new opportunities. Key areas for enhanced collaboration include:
- Strengthened Foreign Policy and Security Cooperation: Shift from disarmament and counter-terrorism to comprehensive military cooperation, including:
- Joint technology transfers, co-production, and sales to reduce India’s dependence on Russian arms.
-
- Build on models like the EU-Japan defence cooperation and the Indo-French partnership.
- Leverage geopolitical needs to fast-track initiatives, with a strong commercial opportunity of over $100 billion in defence sales.
- Pragmatic Climate Collaboration: Avoid contentious policies like the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM), seen by India as unilateral and counterproductive.
- Focus on climate finance and sustainable public-private partnerships to foster a green transition globally.
- Build common ground to position the EU-India partnership as a model for addressing climate challenges in developing economies.
- Conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA): Address stalled negotiations and prioritise key areas like agriculture, manufacturing, and critical technology standards (e.g., data protection).
- Emphasise geoeconomic security in diversifying supply chains away from China.
- Recognise the urgency of trade multilateralism and India’s growing significance, with bilateral trade at €124 billion in 2023 and increasing foreign investment.
- Balanced Migration Policies: Transition from framing migration as one-way (Indian workers and students to Europe) to a more reciprocal model.
- Recognise India as an emerging destination for European workers, fostering mutual benefits and addressing immigration-skeptic electorates.
- Inclusion of Animal Welfare and Ethical Connectivity: Extend collaboration on sustainability to include animal welfare, e.g., bans on live animal exports.
- Position ethical connectivity projects as vital for biodiversity, zoonotic disease prevention, and the well-being of all species.
- Leverage India’s traditional ethos of environmental responsibility and the EU’s growing advocacy for animal rights.
- Reimagined Multilateralism: Advocate for reforms in global institutions, such as expanding the UN Security Council’s P-5 for inclusivity.
- Promote minilateral initiatives to deepen integration among like-minded partners.
- Recognise India as a bridge to the Global South, enabling more inclusive and representative multilateral frameworks.
How the EU Can Avoid Missteps
- Respect the “Global South” Identity: Acknowledge India’s leadership in the Voice of the Global South and its unique perspectives on global order.
- Avoid dismissive rhetoric (e.g., Josep Borrell’s “garden vs. jungle” analogy), which alienates partners in the Global South.
- Recognise India’s Unique Liberal Traditions: Appreciate India’s distinct values and traditions, which often surpass traditional Asian and Western dichotomies.
- Avoid misinformed criticisms (e.g., the European Parliament’s resolution on Manipur in 2023) that lack cultural and contextual understanding.
- Adopt Empathy Toward Developing Nations: Focus on partnership rather than preaching, recognising historical inequalities and colonial legacies.
- Support countries like India in achieving shared goals, such as combating climate change, through resource-sharing and equitable policies.
The EU-India partnership has significant untapped potential to influence global politics, economics, and governance. By avoiding past pitfalls and focusing on shared synergies, both powers can strengthen their cooperation across critical areas.
