While France and Germany remain the driving forces behind EU–India cooperation, in the military and economic spheres respectively, India is now adopting a strategy of diversification in Europe, forging “à la carte” partnerships with different countries according to its interests.
The EU–India summit on January 27, 2026, marked a turning point, with the announcement of several major agreements. The free-trade agreement is a significant economic step forward, but the partnership’s ambition goes far beyond trade. The joint strategic agenda for 2030 aims to strengthen cooperation in a variety of areas: technology, mobility, defense, security, connectivity, and global issues.
However, this rapprochement, which is primarily political, remains fragile. India’s dependence on Russia for its defense, its delicate position vis-à-vis China, and the central role of the United States in its foreign policy limit the EU’s ability to become a truly privileged partner. The coming months and years will be decisive in determining whether this partnership can be realized in a lasting and tangible way, or whether it will remain a reactive initiative shaped primarily by current circumstances.