Beyond Tariffs: Brussels Summit Charts a New EU–India Partnership Path
- News Desk
- 2 hours ago
- 4 min read
Brussels — Lawmakers, diplomats, business leaders and civil‑society experts gathered in Brussels on June 9 to explore how Europe and India can deepen ties beyond simple trade deals. The discussions went beyond tariffs, focusing on trade, investment, sustainability and building stronger long-term partnerships.
High‑level opening at the European Parliament
The day opened in the European Parliament with a sharp, forward‑looking tone. In her opening remarks, German MEP Angelika Niebler, who chairs the Parliament's Delegation for Relations with India, said both sides want to "advance discussions on trade, connectivity, sustainability, innovation, and strategic cooperation."
EICBI chairman Sujit S. Nair set the scene with an overview of the EU–India corridor, and senior MPs including Slovenia MEP Vladimir Prebilič and Romanian MEP Cristian Terheș (both members of the Foreign Affairs Committee) welcomed delegates and stressed the urgency of shaping the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) to meet contemporary challenges.
FTA panel: business realities and strategic choices
A central morning discussion, led by Prof. Cristina Vanberghen of the European Commission, examined the current state of the EU–India FTA talks and what a deal might mean in practical terms.
The panel brought together Indian and European voices, including Indian MP Sudhakar Singh (Parliamentary Committee on Agriculture), Mag. Michael Saxl of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, and French trade diplomat Jean‑Marc Fenet — to debate how an agreement can help firms, protect smaller businesses, and strengthen supply‑chain resilience.
Speakers stressed that the agreement should go beyond tariff reductions and also cover digital trade, investment and regulatory cooperation to strengthen long-term trust between the EU and India.
Driving sustainability and green investment
The afternoon session shifted to climate and ESG issues. Moderated by Kaveri Sinhji of Impact Think Tank, the panel featured business and policy leaders such as Dr. Asif Iqbal (President, IETO), Karen Dumery (GoAct B.V.), and Ricarda Redeker (Project Plastic Extinction).
They discussed aligning EU and Indian climate rules, mobilising climate finance, and scaling green technologies. Panelists highlighted tangible sectoral challenges — from water use at data centres to industrial decarbonisation. They called for circular‑economy approaches and joint clean‑energy projects that can attract investment and spur innovation.
EU India FTA Discussion in partnership with India Salon Brussels
By late afternoon, the tone softened as delegates moved to the Novotel Brussels Grand‑Place for an EU India FTA Discussion in partnership with India Salon Brussels.
It opened with the traditional lamp‑lighting ceremony and featured short "impulse" talks and roundtable discussions. Presenters included Aksinya Staar, a polymathic strategist, futurist, board advisor and author (Co‑Founder of Polymathic Futures, Vienna), who spoke on civilizational perspectives and integrative thinking across cultures.
Sangeeta Vetal-Lad, a market‑entry expert, shared practical advice for Indian firms entering European markets. In a keynote that captured the day's main theme, Patrick Crehan (Director, CKA consultancy) urged the audience to move "beyond tariffs and transactions to partnerships," arguing the relationship should become a multi‑sector collaboration across technology, energy and skills.
Invest in Austria: bridging opportunities between India and Austria
Earlier in the day, the agenda featured a dedicated session on "Invest in Austria," designed to showcase Austria's value proposition for Indian businesses. The session opened with a welcome address by Silvia Fischer, Head of the Styria Office, followed by a virtual keynote from Karl Hartleb, who discussed India as a key focus country for the ICS (Institute for Cooperation with South Asia).
Cornelia Reibach‑Stambolija, Austrian Trade Commissioner in Belgium, presented the "ADVANTAGE AUSTRIA and India" programme, highlighting trade facilitation and bilateral business opportunities. The session concluded with Sebastian Köberl from the EU Representation of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber (WKÖ), who explained how EU institutional decision‑making processes work, offering delegates practical insights for navigating regulations and accessing markets.
New report, awards and practical sessions
The conference released an EU–India FTA report developed with Water & Shark. Organisers also recognised EuropeIndia40 leaders for their contributions to strengthening the corridor and held thematic roundtables aimed at turning policy talk into market-ready action. These sessions were designed to give companies concrete guidance on market entry, regulatory alignment and joint project development.
Why it matters
Speakers repeatedly pointed to the depth of EU–India economic ties: more than 5,800 EU‑affiliated companies operate in India, generating around €186 billion in turnover and supporting nearly 6 million jobs. Delegates argued these commercial links give both sides a strong incentive to harmonise rules on ESG reporting, digital services and investment protection. A modern FTA, they said, should balance market access with social and environmental safeguards to ensure long‑term, resilient growth.
Looking ahead
The Brussels meeting followed the January 2026 EU–India Summit in New Delhi and the launch of a new Strategic Agenda, signalling diplomatic momentum on both sides. Organisers described the conference as a timely waypoint in negotiations, helping lay groundwork for a next phase of cooperation where trade talks are integrated with sustainability, digital governance and people‑to‑people links.
The conference was organised by the Europe India Centre for Business & Industry (EICBI). Knowledge Partner: Water & Shark — Global Advisory Firm, and Media Partner: KOL News.
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