The European Union is moving to enhance its relationship with India, despite concerns regarding India's ties with Russia. On Wednesday, the European Commission introduced a five-pillar strategy aimed at fostering closer bilateral relations. This strategy covers a wide array of topics, including sustainable fuels, green hydrogen, critical raw materials, artificial intelligence, advanced microchips, cybersecurity, crisis management, defense policy, and legal migration. The initiative sets the stage for an EU-India summit planned for early 2026.

The Commission emphasized the importance of this cooperation, stating, "Closer EU-India cooperation is more important than ever." This announcement comes at a time when traditional alliances are being tested, prompting both the EU and India to seek new partnerships.

The timing of the strategy's unveiling is significant. Recently, a small group of Indian troops participated in large-scale military exercises with Russia and Belarus, known as ZAPAD 2025, near the borders of Poland and Lithuania. This participation has raised eyebrows in Brussels, where officials are wary of India's growing military collaboration with Moscow.

Despite these concerns, the EU and India are in the final stages of negotiating a free trade agreement, which both parties hope to finalize by the end of the year. These negotiations, which resumed in 2022, have gained momentum following the re-election of U.S. President Donald Trump. In response to Trump's tariffs, both the EU and India are eager to strengthen their economic ties.

The EU is also pursuing trade agreements with other nations, including Mexico, the South American bloc Mercosur, and Indonesia. Meanwhile, India is exploring opportunities not only with the EU but also with China and Russia. Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2022, India has significantly increased its purchases of Russian oil. Recently, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen with Russian President Vladimir Putin at a summit in China, further highlighting the complexities of India's foreign relations.