Brussels/New Delhi, Jan 21 (.) European union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas on Wednesday termed India as “indispensable to Europe’s economic resilience”, and said the EU has agreed to go ahead with the signing of a new Security and Defence Partnership with India.
Kallas, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, said in a post on X:
“Europe is ready to deliver on a powerful new agenda with India.
“Today, the EU agreed to move forward with the signature of a new Security and Defence Partnership.
“It will expand our cooperation in areas such as maritime security, counterterrorism and cyber-defence.
“I look forward to signing it next week during the EU-India Summit in New Delhi.”
In an address to EU parliamentarians, she said:
“In a few days, the European union and India will meet in New Delhi for the 16th India-EU Summit. This is a pivotal moment for our bilateral relationship. With renewed political momentum and clear sense of purpose, preparations are advancing well, though I must say not without challenges.
“Work has been coordinated and focused, and cooperation with Indian partners has been productive. Negotiations on the joint statement and the new strategic agenda have been driven by determination and understanding on both sides that this summit must deliver, taking into account the geopolitical landscape.
“The EU and India are moving closer together, at a time when the rules-based international order is under unprecedented pressure, through wars, coercion, and economic fragmentation.”
She said the EU and India as two major democracies cannot afford to hesitate.
“We must become more ambitious partners. Europe and India share a responsibility to uphold international law and the UN Charter, and adopt the multilateral system so that it works also in the 21st century and beyond.
“The summit will adopt a new joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, setting our course towards 2030. Leaders will endorse concrete deliverables that move our partnerships from words to action.
“Three standouts; First, we aim to conclude negotiations on the EU-India Free Trade Agreement. This deal will open markets, remove barriers, and strengthen critical supply chains in clean technologies, pharmaceuticals and semiconductors.
“Second, today we agreed to move forward with the signature of a new EU-India Security and Defence Partnership in areas like maritime security, cybersecurity and counter terrorism.
“We will also launch negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement. In a more dangerous world, we will both gain from working closer together.
“We also intend to conclude a Memorandum of Understanding on a Comprehensive Framework of Cooperation on Mobility. This will facilitate movement for seasonal workers, students, researchers, and highly skilled professionals, while promoting research and innovation.”
She said these deliverables “reflect our shared priorities on prosperity and clean transition”.
“The EU is already one of India’s largest trading partners, and India is becoming indispensable to Europe’s economic resilience.
“Our Clean Energy and Climate Partnership links climate ambition with industrial competitiveness. We cooperate on renewables, green hydrogen and sustainable manufacturing. On technology and security, the EU-India Trade and Technology Council is shaping cooperation on artificial intelligence, semiconductors, cybersecurity and digital infrastructure.
“The goal is simple but strategic. To embed trusted standards that shape global markets, rather than react to them. In the Indo-Pacific and beyond, Europe and India can help anchor stability, by defending open sea lanes, strengthening maritime domain awareness and resisting coercion in all of its forms.
“This summit matters for what it sets in motion – a more ambitious, more operational EU-India partnership.
“We have an opportunity to turn political momentum into progress for our citizens, for our companies, for our economies and also upholding rules-based order on which our security and prosperity depend.”
European Council President António Luís Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will be Chief Guests at India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26.
The two EU leaders will be on a State Visit to India from January 25-27 January 2026 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. During the visit, the leaders will also co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27.
The two sides are expected to make an announcement on the India-EU FTA, for which hectic negotiations have been ongoing for several months.
During the visit, President Costa and President von der Leyen will meet President Droupadi Murmu, and hold restricted and delegation level talks with Prime Minister Modi.
An India-EU Business Forum is also expected to be organized on the sidelines of the India-EU Summit, a statement said. India and European union are strategic partners since 2004.
The 15th India-EU Summit was held virtually on 15 July 2020. Bilateral ties have expanded and deepened across a wide range of areas, particularly following the historic visit of EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025.
Participation of EU leaders as Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day and the 16th India-EU Summit will further deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and advance collaboration in priority areas of mutual interest.
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