India and the European Union announced the establishment of the three Working Groups under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and their terms of reference. 

The TTC was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during the latter’s visit to India in April 2022.

The EU-India Trade and Technology Council is the second such bilateral forum for the EU and the first one established with any partner for India. The EU and the US launched a TTC in June 2021.

Purpose of Trade and Technology Council (TTC)

• The European Union and India are bound by decades of close partnership and are determined to increase joint efforts to tackle current challenges and address geopolitical circumstances. 

• The shared values and common interests of the EU and India offer a strong basis to intensify mutually beneficial and deeper strategic cooperation.

• The EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will allow both partners to tackle challenges at the nexus of trade, trusted technology and security, and thus deepen cooperation in these fields.

• The purpose of the TTC is to enhance trade and investment, strengthen technological and industrial leadership, boost innovation, protect and promote critical and emerging technologies and infrastructure, and encourage compatible standards and regulations based on shared democratic values.

• Cooperation within the TTC will also feed into coordination in multilateral bodies and wider efforts with like-minded partners, with the aim of promoting a democratic model of digital governance.

• It will provide the political steer and the necessary structure to operationalise political decisions, coordinate technical work, and report to the political level to ensure implementation and follow-up in areas that are important for the sustainable progress of European and Indian economies.

• The TTC will be co-chaired on the Indian side by the ministers for external affairs, commerce & industry, electronics & information technology and communications.

• Ministerial meetings of the TTC will take place at least once a year, with the venue alternating between the EU and India.

Under the TTC, three Working Groups have been established:

i) Strategic technologies, digital governance and digital connectivity: The group will work jointly on areas of mutual interest such as digital connectivity, artificial intelligence, 5G/6G, high performance and quantum computing, semiconductors, cloud systems, cybersecurity, digital skills and digital platforms.

ii) Green & clean energy technologies: The group will focus on green technologies, including investment and standards, with emphasis on research and innovation. Areas to be explored could be clean energy, circular economy, waste management, plastic and litter in the ocean. It will also foster cooperation between EU and Indian incubators, SMEs and startups.

iii) Trade, investment and resilient value chains: The group will work on the resilience of supply chains and access to critical components, energy, and raw materials. It will also work to resolve identified trade barriers and global trade challenges by promoting cooperation in multilateral fora. It will work towards promotion of international standards and cooperation on addressing global geopolitical challenges.

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