INDIA-EU: A STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF ASSOCIATIONS

India is one of the very few countries that has established diplomatic relationships with Europe since the 1960s. The relationship between these two countries is continuously evolving and transforming for better. Currently, the relationship between India & EU is not fully taken advantage of its full potential.

- AAKRITI VERMA

The EU – India Joint Action Plan (J.A.P) was adopted back in 2005 at the 2005 India – EU summit for the strategic Partnership. The J.A.P consisted of 5 sections to begin with and later the sections got modified as per the requirement and analysis in the summits. For the past 15 years, India and European Union have seen consistent modifications and the relationship has grown over time for good. As it was also listed in one of the sections is, “to strengthen the dialogue between the two Parliaments.”

Our Foreign Minister, Mr. S. Jaishankar has stated, “In order to shape Global Outcomes, India & EU should work collectively.” Keeping in mind the rising centre of attraction i.e., Indo – Pacific Region, it is extensively believed that Indo – Pacific would decide the future of the world.

On 15th July 2020, the 15th India – European Union Summit took place. “EU – India Strategic Partnership: A roadmap to 2025” was endorsed as a common roadmap to guide collaborative efforts and to further strengthen the relationship between the two over the next five years.

In a complex environment worldwide, both the Republic of India and the European Union are keen to preserve the rules based international orders and effective multilateralism and are more inclined towards contributing jointly for a safer, cleaner, and more stable world.

Over and all under this Roadmap, 6 wider sections have been introduced ranging from Foreign Policy & Security Co-operation to Institutional Architecture of the India – EU Strategic Partnership. These fields cover several sub-sections such as Security, Trade, Mobility, Culture, Environment, Employment, Education, Global Governance, and many more.