EU-India Strategic Agenda: European Parliament Delegation Set for New Delhi Visit
EU Ambassador Jean-Eric Paquet welcomes the European Parliament delegation to New Delhi to strengthen the EU-India Strategic Agenda and FTA.
The diplomatic ties between India and the European Union are poised for a significant boost as a high-level delegation from the European Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs (AFET) arrives in New Delhi. EU Ambassador to India, Jean-Eric Paquet, has expressed his anticipation for the visit, which is scheduled to take place from October 26 to 28, focusing on the EU India Strategic Agenda.
A Landmark Diplomatic Visit
Led by Chair David McAllister, this visit marks a historic milestone as it is the AFET Committee's first official trip to India under the current mandate of the European Parliament. The delegation is expected to engage in a series of high-stakes meetings with various stakeholders to refine the partnership between the two regions.
According to the European Parliament, the visiting members will hold discussions with:
- Representatives of the Indian Government.
- Members of the Indian Parliament.
- Leaders from the business community.
- Think tanks and non-governmental organisations.
The core objective of these interactions is to discuss the EU-India Strategic Agenda and tackle the primary geopolitical challenges that both partners currently face. Particular emphasis will be placed on strengthening the strategic partnership and addressing shared concerns within the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
The 'Mother of All Deals': The FTA Push
The timing of this visit is critical, as it coincides with intense efforts to finalize the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, who recently visited Germany with a massive delegation of nearly 100 industry representatives, has expressed optimism regarding the timeline for the agreement.
Addressing an India-Germany business roundtable, Goyal noted that while the process has spanned two decades, the agreement was largely finalized within the last thirteen months. He expressed confidence that the FTA could be signed before the end of the calendar year, provided all necessary procedures are completed.
"You rightly mentioned Ms. von der Leyen’s comment about India and EU FTA being the mother of all deals," Goyal stated, highlighting the scale and significance of the agreement.
A Game Changer for Trade and Security
Ambassador Jean-Eric Paquet has described the FTA as an "absolute game changer" for both India and Europe. Beyond just trade, the agreement is expected to revolutionize investment, strengthen supply chains, and deepen cooperation in the realms of economic security and defence.
Timeline and Future Goals
During the Annual Session and Champion Awards 2026 of the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM), Paquet outlined the projected roadmap for the agreement:
- Conclusion of FTA: Aimed for the end of the current year.
- Implementation: Intended to be brought into force during 2027.
Creating a Common Economic Space
The vision for the partnership extends beyond the FTA. Ambassador Paquet highlighted the importance of a parallel Investment Protection Agreement, which is currently under negotiation. He suggested that the combination of the FTA and the Investment Protection Agreement would effectively create a "single economic space" spanning from India to Europe.
This integrated economic zone would allow both parties to trade more freely, build more resilient supply chains, and significantly reduce strategic dependencies on other global powers.