New Delhi: The European Union has unveiled an ambitious plan to expand its partnership with India in defence and trade, but cautioned that New Delhi’s close ties with Moscow could impede the deepening of relations. Brussels warned that Russian oil imports and India’s participation in military drills with Moscow risk undermining the bloc’s new outreach.
On Wednesday (September 17), the European Commission and the EU High Representative announced a “strategic EU-India agenda” designed to strengthen cooperation in response to transatlantic uncertainty and global economic volatility. “In an increasingly complex geopolitical and geoeconomic environment, closer EU-India cooperation is more important than ever,” the joint communication said.
The document explicitly linked Europe’s security concerns to the new push for engagement. “Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine, along with recent violations of the Union’s airspace, poses an existential threat to European security. It is of utmost importance to the EU that any enablement of the war be curtailed,” it stated.
Highlighting the “growing complexity of global security threats, rising geopolitical tensions and rapid technological change,” the paper called for intensified EU-India dialogue and cooperation on security and defence. It also pledged greater EU engagement with India to counter Russia’s military aggression, including efforts to stop the re-export of battlefield items of EU origin to Russia and curb sanctions evasion, "including through Russia’s shadow fleet and other energy measures.” This would involve talks with the EU sanctions envoy and capacity-building initiatives with the private sector.
The initiative comes amid U.S. pressure on the EU to sanction India and China over their purchases of Russian crude. Washington has already imposed a 25% tariff on Indian imports in response to New Delhi’s continued oil trade with Moscow, doubling earlier “reciprocal” tariffs.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas described security and defence as the “backbone” of the partnership but acknowledged “hesitations” within the European Commission due to India’s ties with Russia. “India’s participation in Russia’s military exercises and its purchase of Russian oil stand in the way of closer ties. Because, ultimately, our partnership is not only about trade, but also about defending the rules-based international order,” she said at a press conference in Brussels.
India this month joined Russia’s ‘Zapad’ military drills near its borders with Poland and Lithuania. Facing repeated questions on India’s Russia policy, Kallas remarked, “If you want closer ties with us, then why participate in exercises that are an existential threat to us? We are not taking this lightly.”
At the same time, she stressed the EU’s reluctance to push India further towards Moscow. “The question is whether we leave this void to be filled by somebody else or we try to fill it ourselves,” she said, noting the bloc’s awareness of India’s historical links with Russia. “Whether it’s possible to completely decouple India from Russia, considering their history as well, I don’t think we have illusions regarding this.”
Negotiations will now focus on addressing these challenges, with the goal of adopting a joint roadmap at the EU-India Summit in early 2026. Talks are also underway on an agreement for the exchange of classified information and closer links between the two sides’ defence industries.
Parallel to these efforts, both sides are negotiating a free trade agreement expected to be concluded this year. European Commissioner for Trade Maros Sefcovic said there was “enormous potential” for mutual trade. “It’s about strategic choices. And clearly, India is a strategic partner, from any angle you would look at it,” he added.