The decisions were announced during the third meeting of the India-European Union Trade and Technology Council held in Brussels on Wednesday. The meeting resulted in agreements on several new initiatives, including the creation of an innovation hub focused on electric vehicle charging technologies and the beginning of negotiations aimed at providing Indian researchers greater access to Europe’s largest research funding programme.
The Trade and Technology Council has emerged as the primary platform for advancing cooperation between India and the European Union in areas that are increasingly important for economic growth, technological development and national security. Established in 2022, the council is India’s first technology-focused framework with an international partner and brings together policymakers to coordinate efforts in digital technologies, green energy, trade and investment.
During the Brussels meeting, both sides agreed to upgrade the council by the end of 2026 in accordance with the Joint European Union-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda adopted earlier this year. Ministers also directed the council’s working groups to accelerate ongoing projects and identify new areas of collaboration.
The two sides further agreed to encourage greater participation from businesses and industries, particularly in sectors where India and the European Union aim to reduce dependence on concentrated global supply chains.
Electric Vehicle Charging Innovation Takes Centre Stage
One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the decision to establish the first India-European Union Innovation Hub dedicated to electric vehicle charging technologies and testing.
The initiative will bring together researchers, industry specialists and innovators to develop charging solutions that are interoperable, reliable and scalable. With both India and Europe advancing cleaner transportation systems, developing common and efficient charging technologies has become an important priority.
India and the European Union also agreed to launch an EU-India Startup Partnership focused on deep-tech clean technologies. The initiative aims to support startups from both regions by improving access to new markets, encouraging collaboration in commercialisation and accelerating the adoption of innovative climate solutions.
The clean technology partnership will also include ongoing research programmes supported by a combined investment of EUR 60 million over four years. These projects cover areas such as waste-to-hydrogen technologies, marine pollution management and recycling of electric vehicle batteries.
Both sides agreed to begin exchanging expertise on Hydrogen Valleys and hydrogen safety standards later this year as part of efforts to expand cooperation in the developing green hydrogen sector.
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Infrastructure Become Key Areas of Cooperation
Artificial intelligence emerged as one of the most significant areas of collaboration during the meeting, with India and the European Union agreeing to strengthen cooperation on responsible AI development and implementation.
The discussions focused on sharing experiences related to the use of artificial intelligence in sectors such as healthcare, with emphasis on safe, ethical and beneficial deployment rather than only advanced model development.
The partnership will also explore joint research opportunities in high-performance computing, particularly for applications related to climate modelling, natural hazard prediction and bioinformatics.
Digital infrastructure was another major focus of the discussions. Both sides agreed to continue technical efforts to make digital trust services interoperable, including cooperation on digital wallets and electronic signatures following an administrative agreement signed earlier this year.
The meeting also highlighted collaboration on future communication technologies, including 6G standards. India and the European Union reaffirmed support for the movement of skilled information and communication technology professionals between the two regions following the launch of the European Legal Gateway Office pilot in India.
Semiconductor Cooperation Strengthened Amid Global Supply Chain Challenges
Semiconductors remained a central priority in the India-European Union technology partnership, with both sides agreeing to deepen cooperation to develop secure and resilient semiconductor supply chains.
The discussions covered advanced manufacturing capabilities, investment opportunities and stronger coordination between semiconductor ecosystems in India and Europe.
The renewed focus comes as countries across the world seek to diversify semiconductor production following disruptions caused by recent global supply chain challenges. Through increased investment and technical cooperation, India and the European Union aim to improve long-term supply security while strengthening domestic manufacturing capabilities.
Research Partnership Expansion Through Horizon Europe Discussions
A major development from the meeting was the decision to begin formal negotiations on India’s association with Horizon Europe, the European Union’s flagship research and innovation programme.
If negotiations are completed as planned before the end of 2026, Indian researchers and institutions could receive wider opportunities to participate in collaborative European research projects across science, technology and innovation.
The move reflects a broader effort to expand research cooperation between India and the European Union, particularly in areas including artificial intelligence, quantum technologies, clean energy and digital transformation.
Along with research cooperation, India and the European Union reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening trade and investment relations. Discussions covered sectors such as pharmaceuticals, agriculture and clean energy technologies. Both sides also emphasised the need for reforms at the World Trade Organisation to address changing global trade challenges.
The latest Trade and Technology Council meeting highlights the growing strategic importance of the India-European Union partnership. As technological competition continues to influence global economic and geopolitical developments, both sides are positioning their cooperation around trusted innovation, resilient supply chains and long-term research collaboration, extending their relationship beyond traditional trade boundaries.
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