India-EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda (Towards 2030)

Context

India and the European Union adopted the Towards 2030: India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda during high-level talks between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa. Endorsed at the India–EU Summit, the agenda provides a five-year roadmap to deepen cooperation amid rising geopolitical tensions, supply-chain disruptions, climate challenges, and shifts in global power structures.

Q1. What is the “Towards 2030: India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda,” and why is it significant in the current global context?

1. The agenda is a long-term roadmap guiding India–EU cooperation until 2030.
2. It builds upon the existing India–EU Strategic Partnership.
3. The agenda was endorsed at the 16th India–EU Summit.
4. It responds to growing global uncertainty and geopolitical fragmentation.
5. The framework aims for deeper, broader, and more coordinated
6. It focuses on delivering concrete and transformative outcomes.
7. The agenda aligns economic, technological, and security priorities.
8. It reflects a shift from transactional engagement to strategic alignment.
9. The roadmap provides clarity for governments, businesses, and institutions.

• It positions India and the EU as like-minded partners in a rules-based global order.

Q2. Why was there a need to adopt a new and more ambitious strategic agenda between India and the European Union?

1. The global environment has become more complex and unstable.
2. Traditional multilateral systems are under strain.
3. Supply-chain disruptions exposed vulnerabilities during recent crises.
4. Climate change and energy transitions require coordinated responses.
5. Digital and emerging technologies need trusted partnerships.
6. India–EU trade potential remained underutilised under earlier frameworks.
7. Strategic competition among major powers has intensified.
8. Both sides seek greater strategic autonomy.
9. Existing cooperation mechanisms needed stronger coordination.

• The new agenda provides a holistic response to these challenges.

Q3. What are the five key pillars of cooperation under the India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda?

1. The first pillar focuses on prosperity and sustainability.
2. The second pillar emphasises technology and innovation.
3. The third pillar covers security and defence cooperation.
4. The fourth pillar addresses connectivity and global challenges.
5. The fifth pillar acts as an enabler through skills and mobility.
6. Business cooperation is embedded across all pillars.
7. People-to-people ties are treated as a strategic asset.
8. The pillars are interlinked rather than isolated.
9. Each pillar has measurable outcomes and timelines.

• Together, they provide an integrated partnership framework.

Q4. How does the agenda aim to strengthen trade, investment, and economic cooperation between India and the EU?

1. Trade and investment are reaffirmed as the foundation of the partnership.
2. Both sides committed to the timely conclusion of the India–EU FTA.
3. Negotiations on Investment Protection Agreement are prioritised.
4. A Geographical Indications Agreement will protect regional products.
5. Financial services regulatory cooperation will be enhanced.
6. Customs cooperation aims to ease trade flows.
7. Macroeconomic dialogue will support financial stability.
8. EU’s Global Gateway investments will be scaled up.
9. The European Investment Bank will play a larger role.

• These steps aim to unlock the full trade potential of the partnership.

Q5. In what ways will the agenda boost India’s manufacturing sector and export competitiveness?

1. Indian textiles and apparel will gain duty-free access to EU markets.
2. Leather and footwear tariffs are reduced from 17% to zero.
3. Gems and jewellery exports will receive 100% duty-free access.
4. Engineering goods will get preferential access to 27 EU countries.
5. MSMEs in manufacturing hubs will benefit
6. Chemical and petrochemical exports will see over 97% tariff elimination.
7. Agricultural products like tea, coffee, grapes, and ghee gain access.
8. Seafood exports will enter a market worth over $50 billion.
9. Manufacturing growth will generate employment across sectors.

• The deal strengthens India’s position in global value chains.

Q6. How does the agenda address supply-chain resilience and economic security concerns?

1. Strategic value chains are identified for joint cooperation.
2. Collaboration will take place under the Trade and Technology Council.
3. Semiconductor supply chains are a priority area.
4. Joint research and manufacturing in chips will be promoted.
5. Cooperation on critical minerals reduces dependency risks.
6. API and pharmaceutical supply chains will be strengthened.
7. Agrifood and biotechnology supply chains are included.
8. Economic security dialogues will address vulnerabilities.
9. Diversification of supply sources is encouraged.

• These measures aim to build long-term resilience.

Q7. What role do clean energy, climate action, and sustainability play in the India–EU strategic partnership?

1. Clean energy cooperation is a core pillar of the agenda.
2. Renewable energy projects in wind and green hydrogen are prioritised.
3. Sustainable mobility and railways cooperation will expand.
4. Ship recycling and green shipping corridors are supported.
5. Collaboration on carbon markets and emissions trading is planned.
6. Industrial decarbonisation efforts will be jointly developed.
7. Circular economy initiatives will reduce resource use.
8. Water security and climate adaptation are key focus areas.
9. Disaster risk management cooperation will be enhanced.

• Sustainability goals align with global climate commitments.

Q8. How does the agenda deepen cooperation in critical and emerging technologies, including digital cooperation?

1. Joint research will be undertaken in AI and quantum technologies.
2. Semiconductor research and advanced materials are prioritised.
3. India–EU Innovation Hubs will be established.
4. Startup partnerships will support innovation ecosystems.
5. Cooperation on trustworthy and human-centric AI is emphasised.
6. High-performance computing and space technologies are included.
7. Digital public infrastructure cooperation will be strengthened.
8. Data protection and cyber security frameworks will align.
9. Interoperability of digital wallets and e-signatures will be explored.

• These efforts build a secure and trusted digital ecosystem.

Q9. What are the key elements of security, defence, and connectivity cooperation under the new agenda?

1. The India–EU Security and Defence Partnership will be implemented.
2. Annual security and defence dialogues will be institutionalised.
3. Defence industrial cooperation will be industry-led.
4. Joint defence forums will encourage collaboration.
5. Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific promotes a rules-based order.
6. Counter-terrorism and cyber security cooperation will deepen.
7. Law enforcement coordination with Europol will expand.
8. Connectivity projects will be aligned with Global Gateway and IMEC.
9. Green shipping and aviation dialogues will continue.

• Connectivity enhances economic and strategic integration.

Q10. What is the broader geopolitical and global governance significance of the India–EU Strategic Agenda for India?

1. The agenda strengthens India’s engagement with a major global bloc.
2. It supports a multipolar and rules-based international order.
3. Cooperation in the UN, G20, and WTO reforms is reinforced.
4. India gains support for multilateral institutional reform.
5. The partnership balances major power rivalries.
6. It enhances India’s strategic autonomy.
7. People-to-people ties strengthen long-term relations.
8. Business-driven engagement boosts economic diplomacy.
9. The agenda enhances India’s global credibility.

• Overall, it positions India as a key global partner of the EU.

Conclusion

The Towards 2030: India–EU Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda marks a decisive shift in India–EU relations from sector-specific cooperation to a fully integrated strategic partnership. By combining trade, technology, security, sustainability, and people-centric engagement, the agenda equips both partners to navigate global uncertainty while unlocking economic and geopolitical opportunities. For India, it strengthens manufacturing, exports, strategic autonomy, and global influence—making the partnership a cornerstone of its long-term foreign and economic policy.