India, EU step up engagement to fast-track trade, tech talks

New Delhi: India and the EU are stepping up engagement to fast-track outcomes of the January 27 India-EU Summit, with a series of initiatives planned over the coming months, according to people familiar with the matter. An 11-member European Parliament delegation, led by Angelika Niebler, chair of the delegation for relations with India, is expected to visit India soon to strengthen parliamentary ties.

In May, senior officials from both sides are set to hold consultations on the Indo-Pacific region, focusing on maritime security, supply chain resilience and regional stability amid global disruptions.

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The India-EU Trade and Technology Council plans to meet at the ministerial level in mid-2026 to advance cooperation on digital trade and emerging technologies such as AI and 6G, people cited above said.

Both sides are targeting completion of a Security of Information Agreement this year, which will enable sharing of classified data and deepen defence and intelligence collaboration. This follows the Security and Defence Partnership agreed at the January summit.

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Visits by several EU commissioners to India are also being planned through the year to advance the strategic agenda. Amid geopolitical tensions, the EU is seeking to deepen engagement with India. During a recent visit to Brussels, external affairs minister S Jaishankar met Antonio Costa, president of the European Council, and Ursula von der Leyen, president of the European Commission.

Discussions focused on India-EU ties following the summit and priorities under the joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, including early signing of the proposed free trade agreement, as well as developments in West Asia, Ukraine and the Indo-Pacific, according to a statement from the Ministry of External Affairs.

Jaishankar also interacted with the EU Foreign Affairs Council, chaired by Kaja Kallas, high representative for foreign affairs and security policy and vice-president of the European Commission, and comprising foreign ministers of member states.

He highlighted the momentum in ties and called for unlocking the full potential of the free trade agreement, deepening defence industrial collaboration and maritime cooperation, strengthening the Trade and Technology Council as an outcome-driven forum integrated with industry, advancing clean energy cooperation and improving mobility frameworks.