Topic

The European Union-India Strategic

Partnership: From the Hague to
Brussels(2004-16)

Mukesh Shankar Bharti

Paper Presented at:
Ph.D. Research Scholar
Sofia University St.
Kliment
Centre for European Studies
Ohridski, Sofia,
Bulgaria.
School of International Studies
Jawaharlal Nehru University
New Delhi, India

Abstract
Strategic partnerships have, in fact, become a key
foreign policy instrument in a multi-polar world
and are increasingly perceived as both a process
and a format in which to conduct foreign relations
with major players. A variety of adjectives have
been used to describe the India-EU strategic
partnership since its establishment in 2004.

Defining a Strategic
Partnership
The term strategic partnership entered the international
relations lexicon in the late 1990s. It has been a major tool
of post-Cold War international relations, which enhances
or justifies a close relationship between two states that seek
mutual gains but whose interests may be competitive rather
than shared. Strategic partnerships have, in fact, become a
key foreign policy instrument in a multi-polar world and
are increasingly perceived as both a process and a format in
which to conduct foreign relations with major players.

Joint Action Plan

India- EU relations go back to the early 1960s. India was among the first
countries to establish diplomatic relations with the (then) EEC. The 1994
cooperation agreement signed between EU and India took bilateral relations
beyond merely trade and economic cooperation. Together with the Joint
Political Statement signed in 1993 it opened the way for annual ministerial
meetings and a broad political dialogue. The first India-EU Summit in
Lisbon in June 2000 marked a watershed in the evolution of this
relationship.
Since then there have been five Summit-level interactions, the last being the
Fifth Summit in The Hague on 8th November 2004. The Summit in The
Hague was a landmark Summit, as it endorsed the proposal to upgrade the
India-EU relationship to the level of a 'Strategic Partnership'.

Pluralism and Diversity

Both India and the EU are multi-cultural, multi-religious and multilingual societies. India is a microcosm of the globe because of its subcontinental size and a population that accounts for nearly one sixth of
humanity. India, with the second largest Muslim community in the
world, is a paradigm of Asia's syncretic culture, and of how various
religions can flourish in a plural, democratic and open society.
The EU, with its expanding geographical boundaries and diversifying
demography, is one of the most demographically diverse entities in the
world and yet able to synthesise the diversity of its member states into a
coherent whole. These are areas where both India and the EU could
benefit from an exchange of experiences. Both sides share the objective
of contributing to the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity,
which we consider an inalienable value, and the promotion of dialogue
among cultures at the international level.

PEACEKEEPING, PEACEBUILDING AND POSTCONFLICT ASSISTANCE

India and the EU have a common interest in
UN peacekeeping and in post-conflict political
and economic rehabilitation and reconstruction.

DISARMAMENT
AND
PROLIFERATION
OF
WMD
SECURITY DIALOGUE

NONAND

India and the EU have a shared interest in working

towards achieving the goals and objectives of
universal disarmament and non-proliferation of
weapons of mass destruction and their means of
delivery. The proliferation of weapons of mass
destruction and its linkages with terrorism poses a
threat to international peace and security.

FIGHT AGAINST TERRORISM

AND ORGANISED CRIME
India and the EU recognise the fact that
terrorism constitutes one of the most serious
threats to international peace and security,
and reaffirm their condemnation of all acts
of terrorism as criminal and unjustifiable,
irrespective of their motivations, forms and
manifestations.

BRINGING TOGETHER
PEOPLE AND CULTURES
MIGRATION AND CONSULAR ISSUES

The subjects of Migration and Consular Issues are

increasingly important in the context of
globalisation, given the large-scale movement of
people from region to region for economic or
other reasons and the large migrant communities
in both India and the EU. It is important to note
that India is a source, transit point and a
destination for migrants.

India and the EU, including

the speedy delivery of
consular and visa services
1. Hold dialogues on all aspects of migration and
consular issues of interest to us;
2. Encourage institutions on either side to
undertake joint studies on problems relating to
skill set shortages and the changing
demographic profiles in our regions.

PARLIAMENTARY
EXCHANGES
As the two largest democracies in the
world, the importance of regular
Parliamentary interactions between
India and the EU can hardly be overemphasised.

Main Proposals
1. Work towards the further development of EU-India
friendship groups in the Indian Parliament and the
European Parliament;
2. Organise regular exchanges of visits by
Parliamentary delegations, including by the Speaker
of the Lok Sabha to the European Parliament and
the President of the European Parliament to the
Indian Parliament;
3. Encourage greater interaction between subjectspecific Parliamentary Committees on both sides.

EDUCATION &
ACADEMIC EXCHANGES
1. Promote the implementation of the India
Window of the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Programme; and encourage continuation of the
programme;
2. Link up Websites of Indian and EU Universities
and academic institutions in order to better
inform students of academic opportunities in
each others areas;

EDUCATION &
ACADEMIC EXCHANGES
1. Promote the implementation of the India
Window of the Erasmus Mundus Scholarship
Programme; and encourage continuation of the
programme;
2. Link up Websites of Indian and EU Universities
and academic institutions in order to better
inform students of academic opportunities in
each others areas;

Chairs Establishments
1. Encourage the development of EU studies in
India and Indian studies in the EU, by
encouraging installation of Chairs and/or Centres
of Modern Indian Studies in EU Universities and
of EU Studies in Indian Universities including
EU languages;
2. Facilitate access to academic institutions and
residence in each other's territory of students
admitted into bona fide programmes of such
institutions.

CIVIL SOCIETY EXCHANGES

1. Promoting cooperation between political parties,
trade unions, business associations, universities
and civil society (including Think Tanks and
NGOs);
2. Developing the India-EU Civil Society Internet
Forum enabling enhanced exchange of ideas
between civil society actors;
3. Continuing to support the work of the India-EU
Round Table, and its integration into the
institutional architecture of the India-EU
relationship.

CULTURAL COOPERATION
We will in particular seek to1. Work towards full implementation of the Cultural
Declaration; Hold India-EU Cultural weeks on a
reciprocal basis as part of the India-EU Summit
activities, with both sides facilitating participation,
funds and logistics;
2. Facilitate participation by both sides in Film
Festivals and other relevant cultural events to be
organised in each other's territories;
3. Develop cooperation programmes in preservation
and restoration techniques;

Other Cooperation
1. Promote dialogue between respective audiovisual industry with
a view to stimulating cooperation and exchange programmes;
co-production, circulation of cultural works between Europe
and India and training professionals;
2. Exchange views on cultural diversity including on
developments such as the adoption of the UNESCO Convention
on the Protection and the Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural
Expressions;
3. Undertake possible joint action to increase awareness of
European culture in India and Indian culture in Europe,
including meetings, seminars and thematic conferences which
gather professionals, in particular from the audiovisual sector;
4. Undertake twinning between European and Indian cities, in
accordance with each others guidelines.

ECONOMIC POLICY
COOPERATION

DIALOGUE

AND

Industrial Policy
1. Establish a platform for the exchange of information and
views on industrial policy and to enhance mutual
understanding of regulatory frameworks;
2. Continue and reinforce dialogue in existing and
strengthened Working Groups and encourage discussion in
various sectors;
3. Exchange information on competition policy in areas of
mutual interest, with a view to increasing cooperation;
4. Develop a dialogue on best practices in the field of
corporate governance;
5. Establish a Working Group on Food Processing Industries.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

1. Organise joint workshops on research fields of
mutual interest among EUs thematic research
priorities;
2. Promote participation by Indian researchers in the
Research and Technological Development (RTD)
Framework Programme;
3. Explore with India other scientific and technical
collaboration possibilities, such as joint research in
the areas of frontier technology/cutting edge
technology;
4. Seek to increase mobility, exchanges and access of
researchers between India and Europe.

As agreed at the 2nd India-EC

Science and Technology Steering
Committee meeting held at New
Delhi on 29th April 2005.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Information Science and Technology;

Genomics and Biotechnology for Health;
Nanotechnology and Functional Materials;
Road Transport Research and Development;
High Energy Physics (Accelerator Science and
Technology).

Energy Sector

Energy is of major significance for both India and

the EU. Both sides recognise the need to work
towards achieving safe, secure, affordable and
sustainable energy supplies.
1. Energy efficiency and renewable energies;
2. Coal and clean coal conversion technologies;
3. Fusion energy including Indias membership in
ITER.

Both sides agree to cooperate

closely in the areas of
1. Promoting energy efficiency and energy conservation;
2. Development of affordable clean energy technologies;
3. Identification of new technologies in the field of new,
renewable, conventional and nonconventional energy sources;
4. Oil and gas, with a view to promoting security of supplies and
stability in prices;
5. Nuclear energy;
6. Technology and expertise in exchange of energy between
different grid systems and development of energy markets;
7. Development of hydrogen and fuel cells;
8. Methane recovery and use.

ICT
1. Enhance India-EU cooperation in the Seventh Framework Programme;
2. Under the umbrella of the India-EU Information Society Dialogue, exchange views
on a regular basis on: e-commerce internet governance universal service;
3. Exchange views between relevant authorities of India and EC on these areas of
common interest in appropriate fora;
4. Encourage India-EU joint research proposals and collaboration activities, in
particular, for the following fields: 4G, e-government, e-education and e-health;
5. Exchange best practices and information on regulatory frameworks (internet
governance, privacy and security, spamming) and for electronic communications
(e.g. mobile aspects, universal service);
6. Exchange views on Telecommunication spectrum management and on roaming and
interoperability of telecommunication services;
7. Work towards GEANT-ERNET connectivity with the objective of connecting EU
and Indian Information networks to facilitate research and technology linkages;
8. Continue Information Society Technologies (IST) awareness through workshops
and seminars.

India-EU Joint Statement

The 12th India-EU Summit was held in
New Delhi on 10 February 2012. The
Republic of India was represented by the
Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh.
EU was represented by Mr. Herman Van
Rompuy, President of the European
Council, and Mr. Jose Manuel Durao
Barroso, President of the European
Commission.

The leaders expressed satisfaction at the

deepening comprehensive bilateral relations.
India and EU, as long-standing strategic
partners, are committed to working together
with a balanced and result-oriented approach,
bearing in mind each sides respective
development priorities, based on common
shared values, relating to democracy, rule of
law, civil liberties, fundamental freedoms and
respect for human rights.

EU-India Summit, Brussels, 30

March 2016 EU-India Agenda for
Action-2020
Mr. Donald Tusk, President of the European
Council, Mr. Jean-Claude Juncker, President of the
European Commission, and Mr. Narendra Modi,
Prime Minister of the Republic of India met in
Brussels on 30th March, 2016 for the 13th European
Union - India Summit. They have endorsed this EUIndia Agenda for Action-2020 as a common
roadmap to jointly guide and strengthen the IndiaEU Strategic Partnership in the next five years.

A stronger EU-India
Strategic Partnership
1. As global partners and the world's largest democracies, the
leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthen the EUIndia Strategic Partnership based on shared values and
principles.
2. They confirmed their strong interest in building global
peace, security and prosperity, fostering non-proliferation
and disarmament, creating jobs and inclusive economic
growth, promoting sustainable development, and tackling
global challenges such as terrorism and climate change in
addition to other challenges such as migration and refugee
crisis.

Others Common Declaration

1. In particular, the EU and India support the on-going efforts towards an
Afghan-led and Afghan-owned process of peace and reconciliation,
leading to an environment free of violence and terror. In this context
they looked forward to the Brussels Ministerial Conference on
Afghanistan on 5 October 2016 with a view to renew a framework for
international partnership and cooperation until 2020. They expressed
their support to enhanced and broad-based regional cooperation in
South Asia.
2. The leaders expressed deep concern about the situation in the Middle
East hoping that intra-Syrian talks, under the UN auspices, will ensure a
Syrian-led and Syrian-owned political transition, bringing an end to the
violence in Syria.
3. The leaders strongly supported a diplomatic solution to the conflict in
eastern Ukraine through the full implementation of the Minsk
Agreements by all parties in accordance with UN Security Council
Resolution 2202 (2015).

Urban Development
1. Referring to the 100 Smart cities flagship
programme and EU urban policy development
experience, enhance EU-India cooperation on
Urban Development with increasing involvement
of Indian States and cities, EU Member States and
regions/cities and the EUs Committee of Region,
building on regular dialogue on issues such as
infrastructure, energy, sanitation and water
management.
2. Promote dialogue and partnership/twinning
between local, regional and state entities.

Trade Picture
1. India is an important trade partner for the EU and an
emerging global economic power. The country
combines a sizable and growing market of more than
1 billion people.
2. The value of EU-India trade grew from 28.6 billion
in 2003 to 72.5 billion in 2014.
3. EU investment stock in India is 34.7 billion in 2013.
4. Trade in commercial services quadrupled in the past
decade, increasing from 5.2billion in 2002 to 23.7
billion in 2013.

Conclusion Remark
India and the EU shares historic ties and there is a need for
further improvement. In the new changing world order
India- EU relations can grow but there is a need to shift the
focus from trade ties to geostrategic issues. Europe and India
can also cooperate through global and regional institutions:
India is a founding member of the New Development Bank
(NDB) in the context of BRICS; it is becoming a member of
the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO), and is a
founding member and the second-biggest shareholder of the
newly established China-led Asian Infrastructure Investment
Bank (AIIB), alongside 14 European states.

Thanks for your kind attention !!!