India and European Union adopt Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda at 16th summit

Key facts

• India and the European Union (EU) endorsed the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda during the 16th India-EU summit held in New Delhi.
• The agenda covers five pillars: prosperity and sustainability, technology and innovation, security and defence, connectivity and global challenges, and enabling factors such as skills, mobility, business and people-to-people ties.
• Both sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Comprehensive Framework on Co-operation on Mobility to boost mobility of Indians to Europe.
• They agreed to conclude an Investment Protection Agreement to provide high, predictable standards of protection for investors and promote investment in high-growth sectors.
• An Agreement on Geographical Indications will be concluded to ensure effective protection of iconic products and boost trade opportunities.
• The Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will expand discussions on economic security to include research security and protection of sensitive technologies.
• The EU-India Semiconductor Memorandum of Understanding will be implemented to strengthen supply chains and promote collaboration in chip design, heterogeneous integration, sustainable semiconductor technologies and manufacturing technology development.
• An EU-India Business Forum will be established to meet regularly and provide business perspectives to inform policymaking across TTC work strands.
• India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership cooperation will cover energy technologies, smart grids, storage, electricity sector regulation and energy and climate diplomacy.
• Collaborative research will focus on artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, advanced semiconductors, clean tech and biotech under the technology and innovation pillar.
• India-EU Innovation Hubs will be set up to support dialogue, knowledge exchange and joint projects in critical emerging technologies.
• An India-EU Startup Partnership will be established to deepen cooperation in innovation.
• Cooperation on peaceful uses of nuclear energy will be promoted under the India-Euratom agreement.
• Under the security and defence pillar, both sides will consult on respective initiatives, exchange on defence industry-related matters and explore cooperation aligned with mutual security priorities.