- India
- Jan 27
Key outcomes of 16th India-EU Summit
• President of the European Council Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen paid a State Visit to India as the chief guests for the 77th Republic Day of India.
• On January 27, Prime Minister Narendra Modi along with President Antonio Costa and President Ursula von der Leyen co‑chaired the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi.
• The leaders underlined their commitment to raise the India–EU Strategic Partnership to a higher level based on shared values and principles.
Key outcomes of the Summit:
1) Conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement: India and the EU successfully concluded negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement. It opens a seamless trade market for two billion people. This historic deal is a milestone in the India-EU Strategic Partnership that will significantly enhance bilateral trade and investment ties, drive shared prosperity, strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains, and support sustainable and inclusive growth.
2) Towards 2030 - A Joint India-European Union Comprehensive Strategic Agenda: The agenda aims to further reinforce the strategic partnership by broadening, deepening and better coordinating India-EU cooperation to deliver mutually beneficial, concrete and transformative outcomes for both partners and for the wider world. The strategic agenda covers key areas: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity and global issues, reinforced by enablers across pillars. Building on more than 20 years of strategic partnership, it is a forward-looking action plan that reflects the commitment of both sides to work together in an increasingly complex geopolitical environment as trusted, predictable and like-minded partners.
3) Signing of the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership: India and the EU signed a Security and Defence Partnership to strengthen dialogue and cooperation on security and defence, including maritime security, defence industry, cyber and hybrid threats, space, and counter-terrorism. It is the first such overarching defence and security framework between the two sides.
4) Launch of negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement: Both sides launched negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement to enable secure exchanges of classified information, paving the way for a stronger cooperation in security and defence.
5) Cooperation on technology and innovation: Both sides agreed to further strengthen collaboration on emerging technologies, innovation and research, including by creating EU-India Innovation Hubs and launching an EU-India Startup Partnership. They also launched exploratory talks on the association of India to Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme.
6) MoU on Comprehensive Framework on Cooperation on Mobility: India and the EU signed a Memorandum of Understanding on a framework of cooperation on mobility. It will facilitate the mobility of highly skilled workers, students and researchers and seasonal workers, support skills development, facilitate the comparison of skills and qualification frameworks.
7) Endorsement of an EU-India high-level education and skills dialogue: It will bring together policymakers, quality assurance authorities, education institutions and training providers to improve comparability and recognition of qualifications and enable a smoother flow of talent.
8) MoU for the establishment of an EU-India platform for cooperation and support on climate action: The platform will be launched at the EU-India Clean Tech Summit in the first half of 2026. Both sides will reaffirm their commitments to a low-carbon economy in the context of the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership. They also launched a Green Hydrogen Task Force.
9) Constitution of a Green Hydrogen Task Force: The Task Force on Green Hydrogen will drive innovation and play a key role in decarbonisation.
10) MoU between RBI and European Securities and Market Authority (ESMA): The MoU on supervisory cooperation between the European Securities and Market Authorities and the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) will enhance regulatory cooperation on financial services.