8

India and the European Union:

Changing Dynamics
Udayan Das

of India-European Union (EU) relations have

The profile Traditionally, India and EUhave
grown in stature with time.
relations which are free from irreconcilable
enjoyed unhindered over the last three decades broadly
issues. This has been furthered
factors. First, the birth and growth of the EU, in
by two set of with the rise of India's economic
coincided
its present form, has two different developments were
power. In the earty 1990s, with
quarters of the world. Fraught
taking place in two differentconceded two devastating world wars,
which
internal rivalries
consolidate internally to avoid another.!
Europe was startingthat to Europe which was still
were laid in a
The foundations of by ideational imageries like the
Popularized
divided by Cold War. barriers like the Berlin Wall, the political
"Iron Curtain" and real separated. As the Cold War ended,
integration was the legacy of rivalrjes
and economic regroup and leave
Europe had a chance to Union is a supranational project which
behind. The European peace against this backdrop
to produce lasting
has managed continent Europe in institutional terms. With
of economic
and bind the stature and became an
size and
time, EUgained in international order:?
Simultaneously, India's
powerhouse in the
recognizable shift from its past.
independence, India was
rise was a its
the first four decades after with
modest
a very the
In inward-looking economy with new
Primarily an came in 1991
rate. A watershed moment marked by a thrust towards
8rowth takingover India
cCOnomic reforms
 Century: Foreign Policy Perspectives in a
276 India in the 21st
of the license raj.
liberalization and the undoing the rest of
Complex Wortd
its economic
doors for the world, its With Indha
openingpriorities
policy also changed. New Delhi started looking for
relationships that would complement
forevg
more reliable As the growth trajectories became stronger, India
partnerships.
and EU were _turning out to be opportunities to each other
financial
tor more engaging and sustained trade by serving each other
with big and growing markets. Incidentally. this economic
complementarity largely continues to define the core of
India-EU relations even today.
Secondly, while both India and EU were growing in
each
stature economicaly, opening up opportunities for
their approach to global issues matched with their growrh
stories. Several common threads emerged to complement the
partnership and they continued to feature and dominate th.
joint declarations and vision documents. These convergences in
ideals have also become a long-lasting feature in the partnership.
Ashared confidence in democratic ideals and values, upholding
multilateralism, growing interest in clean and renewable energy,
scientific research, synergies in issues of climate change and
people-to-people contacts are some of the major highlights. In
other words, India and EU have gradually identified each other
through mutual goals and common approaches that aided the
relations to grow further.
These twinfactors of growing economic prowess and shared
beliefs have taken the India-EU relations forward. In the present
times, India-EU relations have been marked by strongeconomic
ties and a nascent strategic partnership. Both the parties have
developed a matrix of high-level political interactions around
a growing framework of relations. These relations have now
encompassed political, economic, security aspects. Howeve,
there have been heavy criticisms that India and EU relatiois
are not a priority to both the parties which is reflected by
non-binding and open-ended nature of their commitments. As a
result, despite overlapping visions and endless opportunities,the
relationship is mostly about unrealized potential.* Adding to
relations between India and EU have also assumed a degree o
uncertainty due to the exit of United Kingdom from EU through
 the
Europeanl Union: Changing Dynamics 277
and
ndia
Against an emerging backdrop of the changing power
Brexit."
distributionofthe international
order, India-EU are required to
calbratetheir
relationship which has also seen a considerable
downward slope in the last decade.
Structural changes and
differences are standing against the potential of a
bilatreral the two parties.
lourishing relationship between
present chapter will look at hve aspects in explaining
The relations. First, it would look v
Lochanging dynamics of India-EU
of the origin of the European Union. Second, it
an overview
briefly explore the evolution of India-EU relations from
wnuld would discern the dimensions
present. Third, it
its inception to relationship in understanding
of the contemporary India-EU's
economic, and security aspects. Fourthly, it would
its political, implications on India-EU,
deal with the question of Brexit
future holds for India
relations, Finally, it would predict what trends of their relationship.
EU relations based on the emerging
Origin of the European Union
understood through
While the formal establishment of EU is
Treaty of Maastricht in 1992, the genesis of the idea of
the period. EUis best understood
EU dates back to the post-war
not a stroke of an agreement. Its
as a gradual evolution and expanded with time having a central
multilateralism evolved and
entity that serves primarily
focus on establishing a supranational the region and producing
two objectives--peace and security in
growth. Its initial impulse was to bind together the
economic interdependence among the member
economies and create an
war becomes self-destructive and obsolete. In
states in which
policies, EU has come
effectively implementing this through
agreements in order to regroup
up with numerous treaties and and time, as and when felt
and reorganize itself from time in rearranging of institutions
necessary. This has also resulted reorient
accommodate newer members and enlarged bodies,
to its vision accordingly.
itself with global realities and align
union was as much a need as
The political and economic
Traditionally, bitter rivalries within
it was a cherished goal. Germany, had not only barred
Europe, especially France andempires but had also resulted in two
peace from the time of the
 Perspectives in a
278 Ind1a inthe 21st
Century: Foreign Policy Coomplex Wotg
major modern catastrophes in the 20th century. For a war torn
and brokenEurope at the end of the Second World War, there
to align their
cooperate
were verv to
options
tewavoid lett open but
interests
an
the future possibilities of a war. Along, with
countries alone to economically
ditfhicult for
that, it was also
themsclves and growin isolation. Even if the states did
stabilize
not want to support a tederal supranational entity at the COst
of undermining themselves, it was essential for their survival.
Interdependence among each other and partnerships were
essential not only to grow but to sustain as a state against the
circumstances.
prevailing nature of
through th
The idea of integration was hrst placed Coal and
Schuman Plan and the foundation of the.European
Steel Community (ECSC) led by Jean Monnet. These plane
surfaced in the form of post-war reconstruction of the region
The idea behind the community was to intertwine economies and
cooperate intensively so that "war not only becomes unthinkable
but materially impossible" Initially signed by six members,
Italy, Germany, France, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Netherlands
the main aim was to cooperate on the free movement of coal and
steel within these countries to ensure a single market. Although
started with a narrow sector, the members had expectations
of gradually forming a wider community. Influenced by David
Mitrany's functionalist approach of integration, the model
sought to start with narrow and specialized technical areas
of cooperation which would in time have a
cause cooperation in other areas as well. Soon 'spillover and
the ECSC was
Supplemented by the two new communities by the treaties of
Rome-the European Economic Community (EEC) and the
European Atomic Energy Commission (EAEC) or the
The 1960s and 1970s saw a Euratom.
successful
attracting further enlargements. In 1973, economic communlty
United Kingdom joined while by Denmark, Ireland, and
mid-1980s, Greece, Spain, and
Portugal were a part of the community.
was continuous growth of the
Council and the Parliament. A institutions, Simultaneously,
such as the
thei
signifhcant Europea
more comprehensive single thrust
was ensured with towaras
European Act signed in 1986.market
The Schengen the Snge
Area negotiatiot
 theEuropean
and
Union: Changing Dynamics 279
ndia
whichstarted during the same time were an additional push
implementing an unrestricted space for the people to move
in
treely without borders.
hard national any stringent passport and visa controls divulging
Fromthe 1950s to the lead up to the Treaty of Maastricht,
there have been three important aspects marking the formation
rhe European Union in its present form. First, a deep abiding
iith in Europe as a Single economic space and community. With
he visions and policy measures of ECSC and EEC, there was a
growingconsensus for the removal of trade barriers and ensuring
iee movement of labor and goods. The satisfactory growth
market
trajectory firmed the foundational stone of Europe as a
space. Second, there has been a steady growth of institutions
rhat would cater to the demands and sustenance of this growing
community. The emergence of the European Council (EC) along
with broader powers and legitimacy of public voting to the
Parliament are some of the significant changes that took place
during this time. Thirdly, as peace and security were important
objectives alongside economic growth, the supranational body
enisured that its commitment towards democracy, human rights
and effective multilateralism is not compromised.
was reconstituted
As the cold war came to an end, Europe division across
reunified and the
in many ways. Germany was
away in practically no
the east and west of Europe withered formally established
time. In 1992, the Treaty of Maastricht subsequently had
body
the European Union. The multilateral
to integrate with the erstwhile
multiple waves of enlargement
circuit.
European states of the Soviet
marked by seven institutions and four freedoms.
The EUis as-freedom of goods, capital,
These four freedoms classified European
persons are termed to be the essence of
Services, and
years after this, EU has been
In the
Union as a project.l0 enlargements in Eastern Europe and
preoccupied with its treaties and agreements to calibrate
Subsequent revisions in its multilateral body,
the most successful
Itself. " Amidst being of institutions with two central
the EU has a complex meshensuring a balance between EU as
difhculties at its heart. First,
 Foreign Policy Perspectives in a
280 India in the
21st Century:

Timeline of the Evolution of

the European
Complex lot
Box 8.1: Union'
formal establishment of
SteelofCommunity(ECSC) which brought together the
Paris led to the
Coal andTreaty
19$1:
Furopean
SIX Countries:
Germany, ltaly, France, Luxembourg, Netherlands, and Belgium. The
up a common market for coal and sto
main aim was to set
Rome establishedithe European Economic
1957: Treaties of
(EEC) andthe European Atomic Energy Communityv(EAEC) or Euratom
Brussels was also signed, known as the
Community
1965: The Treaty of
Treaty', bringing together the executive bodies of the ECSC, EEC, and'Merger
EAEC.
1985: Schengen Agreement was signed and was put into effectta decade
passport and boe
later. The main objective was to do away with the of th
controls, allowing people to move treely within the countries
Schengen Area.
common
1986: Single European Act was signed in order to implement arestriction
market to ensure a flow of goods and services without the
imposed by internal borders.
1992: Maastricht Treaty or the Treaty on European Union was signed
which established the European Union and formalised its institutions
aims, and objectives. The treaty introduced the three pillars of the EU:
EU Communities,Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP), and the
Police and Judicial Cooperation in criminal matters.
1997: Treaty of Amsterdam was signed as a subsequent amendment to
the Treaty of Maastricht to strengthen and modify the EU institutions.
Parliament was given more powers and majority qualified voting was
incorporated to multiple areas in place of unanimous voting which was
resulting in deadlocks.
2001: Treaty of Nice was signed to reform the EU institutions for
effective functioning against the prospective enlargement of the EU in
2004.

2007: Prominent changes in the institutional functioning were introduced

with the signing of the Treaty of Lisbon. The aim was to make EU
institutions more democratic and efficient to deal with global challenges
competently. It amended the Treaties of Rome and Maastricht and gave
EU full legal personality.
2020: United Kingdom formally left the European Union.
a supranational body and its constituent members as individual
states. There is a constant balancing and rebalancing between
EU and independent member states, as states
continue to De
primary actors in international relations. Second, a much more
 the European Union: Changing Dynamics
and
ndia
281
lgristicalproblemof. accommodating a range of
powers, within the ambit of EU.
states--big and
sall
Dos 8.2: EU's Institutional Framework
Executive:
European Council: Comprised the top political leaders representing the
EUStates.
European Commission: The regular executive body of commissioners
appointedby the Council and approved by the EU Parliament.
Legislature:
|European Parliament: The body is directly elected by the people and is
proportionallyrepresentative of each state's population.
Council of Ministers: Comprised of government ministers of all EU
states
divided according to their areas.
Judiciary:
Court of Justice of the European Union: Highest judicial body of the
EU which is responsible for interpreting EU law.
European Court of Auditors: Agency which audits the budget.
Financial:
European Central Bank: Regulates the European financial system and
manages the currency Euro.

Evolution of India-EU Ties

evolution of India-EU
It is important to understand the changed over the
relations to gauge how three factors have changing
years-perceptions, interests, and policies. These
context of relations that
factors have given rise to the present
we now see.

The initial beginnings of the post-war European integration

not perceived very well by India. New Delhi did not show
were ECSC and the
much enthusiasm in deepening relations withnottheocupy primary
EEC. A possible reason was that Europe did and was relegated
position in India's foreign policy imaginationgreat powers. India
and
as second priority to neighborhoodintegration of the Western
was skeptical about the economic went against the rules
European states as it believed that it
of non-discrimination established by General Agreements on
voicing the concerns of
Tariffs and Trade (GATT), As India was
 Foreign Policy Perspectivess
in a
282 India
inthe 21st
Century:
Complex Woth
that period.,it flagged the
a cotere
the
during
states trade agreements within the European
of preferential
postcolonial issue that
divide betweenthe developed and
developcd
wouldstates. the
hirm Moreover, India had better connections the wilesth
states
historicalreasons and when Britain initial y
result of
Britainas a join the EECin early 1960s, India was to
lose theinterest to trading relations with the Commonwealth
preferential
showed
EEC trading rules would thentakeover. India
nations as the future of the Commonwealth
of the associational agreement nations.
raised the issue secure an with the
to
for erstwhile colonial Countries of
was
The attermpt was done
EEC like what EEC perceived this problem as not their
the
Africa. However,alone. It did not pay attention to such demands
own but Britain
India as Britain's Baby"and all South Asian
andcharacterized
"non-associable" 14
h.
states as
Britain's merger in 1960's was stalled tha
Even though EEC a decade later,
India took
joined the
France and UK
understood that it had to develon
and
cue from the situation states, more importantly EEC.
West European
its relations with Britain. The foundation of
independently and irrespective ofdone on the recognition of
relationship was, however,
that
partners. India became one of the first developing
being equal relations with the EEC, dating back
to
countries to establish
decade later, the first Commercial Cooperation
the 1962. A
(CCA) was signed between India and EEC from
Agreement their trade.15
where India and EEC only expanded
increasing push
With the formation of the EU and India's relations, 1990s
towards diversifying its foreign and economic
to cement their ties
was a decade of opportunities for both Political Vision
beyond economic transaction. The 1993 Joint
in 1994 marked the
and the Cooperation Agreement signed engagement
beginning of a broader framework of betweet
India and EU. It defined the institutional arrangement of the ties
through annual ministerial meetings and dialogues atEUvarious would
levels.' The agreement underscored that India and
economic
coordinate and build their partnership in technical,
and cultural matters for the mutual benefit of both."
growing convergence further pushed India and EU to structu
 European Union: Changing Dynamics 283
summit, the first of
which was held in 2000. A
moment in the
nershed
relationship came in 2004 when the
decidedteo enter into a strategic
impetus for EU to
The
partnership with each
enter into a
was a
result of
broadly two
strategic partnership
India
of unanimity in EU's factors. First, there was
which was expOsed
Common Foreign & Security Policy
SP) during the 2003 Iraq War. InpOsitions
of the situation. different states in EU had different the face
uetotheir relations with US. As a result, EU had to regroup
andorganize a more coherent framework
to have a voice on
security matters. This
globalI led to a renewed CESP with a
moreglobal mandate and an active engagement agenda much
with
major actors, focused on five central issues, alongside trade,
namely terrorism, proliferation of WMDs, regional
efailure and organized crime." Secondly, given conflicts,
that EU
bas heen looking for a broader global role, deepening relations
ith India is an indispensability to have a strong footing in the
economic and security matters of a changing Asia. " As a result
of this, EU also recognized India's centrality in the region and
the need to engage with it widely. For India, EUS inclination
served not only economic and investment opportunities but
was also a welcome gesture validating India as a rising and
important power.
The evolution of India-EU relations serve to note how
systemic and domestic factors have shaped the relationship.
While the need for domestic growth has always been an
incentive for enhancing trading ties, it found more momentum
with India's growing economic clout. As the relationship moved
into the post-cold war era, EU's inclination for a broader role in
international matters led Brussels to have better engagement with
India in the broader context of changing South Asia. India's idea
of parity also changed over the years as it started to grow. In
the earlier years, India morally stressed on partnership as equal
sovereigns as it stood against the exploitation of postcolonial
and less developed states. In the post-Cold War scenario, India's
emphasis on equal partnership and mutual respect was rather
because of its recognition of its own rise and importance in the
international order. In other words, for India, the earlier appeal
 284 Indiainthe 21st Century: Foreign Policy Perspectives in a Complex Wot
for equal partnership was a moral call for recognition In the
while now it has transitioned
international order
powerbased
appreciation. Throughout the a more into
conhident
ofIndia-EU
relations inthe post-Cold War period,
broader role and India's focus on
EU'SevgrooluWitionng
assertiveness for a
the partnership have been two important mainstays, the third equality in
one being the non-binding nature of commitments,20 The third
one, non-binding nature of commitmnents and the use of rhetoric
without substantial gains has been a strong criticism of the
relationship till the present.
8.3: Evolution of India-EU Relationg?!
Box
1962: India establishes relations with the European Economic
Community.
Cooperation Agreement.
1973: India and EEC sign Commercial
Commercial and Economi
1981: India and EC signed the Agreement for
Cooperation.
Statement.
1993: India and EU release Joint Political
1994: India and EU sign the Cooperation Agreement.
Lisbon.
2000: First Annual India-EUSummit at
2004: India and EU enter into a strategic partnership.
2005: Joint Action Plan adopted by India and EU.
2007: India-EU launch negotiations for Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
India-EU Relations: Economic, Political and Security Aspects
Trade and investments form the backbone of India-EU
relations. In 2019, EUwas India's largest trading partner. The
trade amounted to 80 billion Euros, approximating 11.1 %ot
total Indian trade. In terms of foreign investments as well, EU
has a hetty share in India, accounting to more than 68 billion
Euros in 2018.22 India is also EUs ninth largest trading partner
in the world.
While the growing numbers suggest positive trends in the
economic cooperation between India and EU, the econont.
relationship has been strained considerably in the last decade.
The main reason for this is the deadlock over the Free Trade
Agreement. While the negotiations had begun in 2007, there
has been no
solution in a final agreement. Despite high-level
 the European Union: Changing Dynamics
and
285
resuming
dialogues between
India andThere
n unlikel possibility in the near future.2 EU,hasFTAbeenlooksno
set
imelmes for the
negotiation to be completed. This
stagnationin inancial engagement
highlights that long
work on the there
is a
need to economic
relations as well
the stron8 point in the partnership. The main issue which
dire of the
is that New
dkadlock Delhi believes that the FTA
wouldsetnotby
ebeneficialfor India according to the terms unilaterally
Brussels. Given that India always insists on parity in terms of
consensus building, it unlikely that the talks would
proceed
until both the parties have adequate room to negotiate and
arrive at consensus. Two of the major reasons that have led
ardeadlock are the disagreements over the technicalities
Ondalities, particularly in the domain of trade in services,
excessive bureaucratization over the decision-making
and the
process,24
Alot of attention has been given to the political and security
Aimensions of India-EUrelations in the last decade because of the
upgradation and elevation of their ties to astrategic partnership
the
since 2004. The idea of strategic partnership enumerated
tollowing areas:
resolve to cooperate in the
issues-multilateralism, peace
1. Cooperating on global non
and security, human rights, counter-terrorism,
proliferation of Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD).
Improving commercial and economic interaction in
2.
technical and sectoral areas.
Cooperation in areas related to climate change and
3.
sustainable development.
society linkages and people to people
4. Enhancing civil
contacts.25
did yield dividends for both in terms
Ihestrategicpartnership
of scientific research, climate change,
felds
O Cooperation indevelopment.26 However, there are hardly real
u Sustainable major tenets of multilateralism,
deliverables associated with and human rights. Thethe lacunae
global governance, democracy, of the differences of two
In tangible outcomes is a result
categories. While broadly both
parties when it comes to these
286 Indiainthe 21st Century: Foreign PolicyPerspectives in a Complex Worid

the parties agree to democracy and human rights, India believes

in the practicee of democracy by *not promoting, not exporting",
but by capacity building." Similarly, in the field of human
rights, New Delhi does not like to be told what is normative
to governance and
as it is very sensitive of such issues relating
sOvereignty. India's record of multilateralism is also very fuzzy
normativity. On th
as it balances between pragmatism and with
other hand, EU's multilateralism is primarily concerned
Instead of these
the efforts within its immediate neighborhood.
differences, there hae
significant conceptual and executional which have formed
been blanket convergence on these issues
As a result, the policy
the basis of the strategic partnership.discussions
deliverables have evaporated beyond and talks. This
been
nature of strategic partnership without solid outcomes has
criticized as nothing more than a "charade"28
on a
The present nature of India-EUrelations is devised
vision document which puts forward a road map for 2025.> The
document lays out the plans for India-EU strategic cooperation
in more than twenty fields, broadly ranging across toreign policy
and security, multilateralism, democracy and human rights,
governance, research and technology, climate change, sustainable
development and people-to -people contacts. However, like the
persisting problems, the document also reveals that there are no
financial and legal obligations for either of the parties, making
the vision document vague and imprecise.
India and EU: Brexit and Beyond
In a bid to reclaim its national sovereignty, the United
Kingdom officially withdrew from EU in January 2020 and
entered into negotiations to finish the transition period for the
rest of the year. Through a long-drawn Brexit campaign that
started almost five years back, UK's primary complaint was that
being in EUdid not serve its primary national interests. Among
the list of its chief complains, the most prominent one was
about immigration. The issue of migration led to a significant
contradiction between UK and the essence which formed EU that
stressed on the freedom of free movement of goods, services,
capital, and people. Britain's significant allegation was that the
 EuropeanUnion:: Changing Dynamics 287
dthe
freedoms is creating an influx of
the
the immigrants into
ot
st is deterring interests of its people and economy.
anNIety coupled with fears of political, economic, social,
Jhs
cultural insecurity. Adding to it was a perception of EU's
nstitutional
d incompetency which characterized Brexit to be
makngUK more secure,, sovereign and economically dynamic.0
dominant theme of Brexit is that UK would be better off
outside of EU rather than being in it.
kmg
Presently,the UK and EU are in a stretch of negotiations to
decide thefuture pattern of engagements between each other.
would include negotiations on the future of trade relations
Thissecurity and law enforcements.1 The hard negotiations
would|mean that each of the parties would attempt to extract
the deals possible out of the situation. It is still
the best of
unclear whether what would be nature of the Brexit and what
would the nature of relationship between the two at the after
2020.
How would Brexit impact India and its relations with both
IN and EU? Most foreign policy analysts feel that even though
it
in the long run a Brexit would weaken both UK and EU.
would not have signifhcant ramifications for India.32 However,
the
until the negotiations and deals do not work out between
EU and UK, India needs to play its options carefully and not
rush. There are two issues because of which such an approach
India's
becomes important. First, a considerable amount of
business and connections with EU goes through UK. The
one-third of the
volume of India-Britain trade is more than
entire India-EU trade volume. A disjointed market, which was
previously a single market would obviously open up region. newer
adjustments and challenges for India to evolve in the with
strength lies
Ihis would further be problematic as India's issue for
rade in services. Since immigration is a long-standing
to be elusive to India's
UR, immediate solutions are likely
disadvantage.
Nevertheless, India's best options are to buy time and
both EU and UK
keep channels of engagement opem with both the entities
with
First, India's relations
SiWouldmultadepend
neously. on the nature of Brexit. Once
the terms of Brexit
 Century: Foreign Policy
288 Indiainthe 21st Perspectives
in a
are finalized,
affect its
India
businesses
can havea clearer picture as
of things and how. Within to
EUand UK would look to expand their base
states to cooperate
with them. For
his what w Cpeormiod,ple
instance, EUandhas get in botmore
on signing the Bilateral Trade and Investment
India, while UK is looking for new
decision of leaving EUand following Agre em
mpeh
nats1
partnerS to validate wih
their
zet
of actions. 4 For India, the task is to assess
prematurely jumping to bandwagon with any of
independent
its
interests Course
While these overtures seem impressive, any deal the
arrived after a consensus of mutual interest with
wi
blothour
ckS.
needs to be
scrutiny. Secondly, the most suitable option is to
channel trade parallelly withtheboth UK and EU.
consideraatw0-ble
operate
any of the two would harm scope of India's
political interests. The business voices from India are
Marginalizing
economic
and
in carrying out trade with EU and UK, irrespective ofinterested
Brevir
The Future of India-EU Relations
Despite many positives, India-EU relations have been
criticized for not having enough political will to go beyond
the existing challenges. There are three broad
has furthered these deficits of expectation andchallenges that
potential and performance. First, India and EUreality alongside
do not feature
in their immediate priority areas of
concern
greater cooperation that goes beyond rhetoric.which prevents
separation is a cause of that. India is primarily Geographical
with its immediate periphery of South Asia and its engaged
extended
neighborhood of Southeast Asia and the Middle East. Similarly,
EU is mostly concerned about the North
Its eastern borders which end at Atlantic region and
the Middle East. Secondly,
complemented with this geographical distance is the lack or
substantial geopolitical standing that the two states
each other's regions. In other lack
words. India is not an impora
geopolitical player in the politics of Europe,
the region of South Asia.neither
major stakeholder Eu
to US and In comparis0
and EU, NewChina, both of whom are Important actors for India
Delhi and Brussels do not
as major
players in their perceive each other
India has
considerably good relationsrespective
with theregions.
constituent
Thirdly,members of
 European
the,
and
Union: Changing Dynamics
ndia 289
EU. Whenit comes to India's energy security and global
OWerambitions,these member states bring more value to the
ablethanthe EU does..h These individual relations also date
hcktoperiods before that of India's relations with EU. With
threestaates-France, Germany, and United Kingdom (member
ofEUtill2020), India had entered strategic partnerships before
with EU. On the other hand, in contrast with its
t had
states,
member
EUis yet to develop astrong foreign policy which would
comprehensivelyrespond to an international order increasingly
hecoming power driven.7 On India's part, it is easier to directly
with the nation states who have a more decisive take
dealforeign policy, unlike EU who are driven by consensus.
Simultaneously,India can also avoidthe quagmire of institutions
at the EU has as a supranational body, a complexity that
rraditional states do not have.
are 'natural
Iris often quoted and reiterated that India and EUdictum
is a based
nartners by several leaders across time, 38 This
human rights,
on the belief in shared principles of itdemocracy,criticized that the
multilateralism, and peace. However, is often
largely with both,
perception and execution of these ideals differ paper there are
While on
leading to lack of sustained outcomes. is scarce. Mostly, the
output
many initiatives, in practice themeetings are unable to produce
combination of dialogues and of policies." There is
that take shape
any important decisionsregarding India that it is not "sufficiently
also aperception of EU This also partly explains the problems
speedy and inefficient".40 widening gap between promise and
of delivery deficit and thedemocracy and multilateralism as well,
execution. In terms of EU depends on normative and
While
there are differences. multilateralism to secure its interests
institutional strength of borders and boundaries, India
imnmediate state
going beyond thesovereign autonomy very significant.*" Adding
has always held toward multilateralism has been very
approach while EU
to it, India's arbitrary over the years. In other words, technical
and
Selective and
towards cooperating on economicneighborhood and
S more driven multilateralism, India's tough approach.
ISsues through a more power-based
Security conditions
demand
developing a strategic culture
EU's foreign policy is still
1S
 the 21sttCentury:
( Policy Perspectivesiin a
Foreign
290 ndiain
compared to its
constituent states, India's Lormplex Viora
when different. Strategic partnership
approaches aremultilateralism
due to such has priortinotes beenand
able to further
the two parties
as
different but is shaped by
varied forces. 42
Aif erencarees notbetweeony
their foreign policy traditions

backdrop of these opportunities and

Against theIndia-EU
the future of
relations are dependent
factors. First, the economic
future of the
on a crit c
range
relationship has isms of
be decided and should not be delayed further. As to
framework is still the cornerstone of the
both the parties are able to rejuvenate and
relationship, theeconomi
soonerc
re-energize
relations,the better the direction the relationship wouldeconomic
Second, EU's stature in Asia would
geopolitical issues. It
depend on its
would be choicre
esceiv e.
and
stands on crucial as to what
kind of relations EU would have with China and Pakisaleetan
vis-à-vis India. Thirdly, better relations with EU would
depend on its better visibility in the Indian media. The oni
would also rest on EU to strengthen its image in the media and
amongst the people with which it seeks to better its relations
with. Fourthly, EU as an actor is largely marginal to the Indian
foreign policy in comparison to the United States and China.
This is also because EU is not like any other state in terms of its
evolution and functioning. Its evolution suggests that it started
off with the objective of creating
sectoral cooperation amongst the long-lasting
member
peace through
today's international order, states hold primarystates. Even in
of managing their foreign policies. responsibilities
foreign policy would need a careful Hence, developing a strong
within EU. It is also subject to the factmaneuvering and balancing
recede their claims on foreign policy whethera the states would
seems very unlikely given the nature ofmaking, possibility wnicn
The presence of these prevailing power poiic
challenges and the
India-EUrelationsdispassionate
nature of relationship has given
a "loveless the
function but arranged
there are marriage".4 The relationship seemstag o
addressed. Political and
long-standing challenges which arerather
than
time-bound policy diplomatic rhetoric is dominant
relations are to realize solutions
its
and cooperation. If India-EU
potential, there needs and
to clear
 201

the
European Union: Changing Dynamics
and
consensuS and
World ndia
tenets
kntihed
In the
on which the parties can reach
recent past, there have been growing
ConseISUS
and ,wJerate.
-traditional security threats like climate
change
beveenen Cmerging
M with
shg
non-
sectoral and technical issues like science
These would bridge misperceptions about
technology
each
only andcomplement the existing nature of engagements.
S

xher
India-EUrelations show usthat despite available frameworks
ms,of
engagement and a host of diplomatic meetings, ties may
to of
hindered by the lack of requirements, mismatch f
nic e pressing
between idea and practice and a lack of resolve to manage y
er )
outstanding issues. However, this does not mean that the talks
e not at all productive. It only means that the existing nature ia
engagements need to be relooked in a fresh lease and given
of
t new directions. in
Dr.
Endnotes 15
1. EUROPA, "The history of the European Union"; on line source:
https://europa.eu/european-union/about-eu/history_en. Accessed on ks
03 July 2020. /e
2. Kalin Anev Janse (2015), "Is Europe outperforming the US?",
World Economic orum; on line source: https:/lwww.weforum.
org/agenda/2015/10/is-europe-outperforming-the-us/. Accessed on
20 July 2020.
3. Arvind Panagariya (2004), India in the 1980s and 1990s: A
Triumph of Reforms", IMF Working Paper, WP/04/43, https://
www.imf.orglexternal/pubs/ft/wp/2004/wp0443.pdf. Accessed on
17 July 2020.
4. Bernd vÍn Muenchow-Pohl (2012), "India and Europe in a
Multipolar World", The Carnegie Papers; on line source: https://
carnegieendowment.org/files/india_europe.pdf. Accessed on 18 July
2020.
Brexit uncertainty gives
S. Nayanima Basu (2019), "Deal or no deal, https://theprint.
India Inc. the hitters", ThePrint; on lne source:
in/economy/deal-or-no-deal-brexit-uncertainty-gives-india-inc-the
2020.
jitters/180481/. Accessed on 19 July
Martin I. Dedman (1993), The Origins and Development of
6. History of European Integration,
European Union 1945-95: A
New York: Routledge, p. 13.
London and on line
"The Schuman Declaration - 9 May, 1950";
source: https://europa. euleuropean-union/about-eu/symbols/europe-
7. EUROPA,
day/schuman-declaration_en. Accessed on 04 July 2020.