EU–India Economic Ties Highlighted at EU Ambassadors Conference 2026

Speaking at the EU Ambassadors Conference 2026 in Brussels, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, outlined Europe’s evolving global strategy in a rapidly changing geopolitical landscape. Her address emphasised the growing strategic importance of India for the European Union, particularly in strengthening supply chains, expanding trade, and enhancing economic and security cooperation with trusted partners.

Key elements of the EU–India economic partnership at a glance.

A Landmark EU–India Economic Partnership

Von der Leyen described the recently concluded EU–India Free Trade Agreement as a historic milestone that links “the world’s biggest democracies” into a single economic space. The agreement establishes a free trade zone encompassing nearly two billion people and is expected to significantly expand market access and double EU goods exports to India by 2032.

The partnership also reflects Europe’s strategy to diversify supply chains. The EU is working with India to develop resilient value chains in critical sectors such as semiconductors, clean technologies, and critical raw materials. Von der Leyen further highlighted joint initiatives under the India–Middle East–Europe Corridor, which aim to strengthen digital and physical connectivity between Asia and Europe.

The EU’s growing network of strategic defence partnerships.

Expanding Cooperation in Security and Defence

Security formed a central theme of the speech. Von der Leyen argued that Europe must be able to “project power - to deter, to counter and to increase our influence” in order to safeguard its territory, democracy, and economic stability. Within this framework, she underscored growing defence cooperation with India, noting that the EU is exploring ways to integrate defence value chains with trusted partners.

The EU is also strengthening its Security and Defence Partnerships with countries including Canada and Australia, reflecting a broader effort to build strategic alliances amid a rapidly shifting global security landscape.

Towards a More Strategic European

Foreign Policy

More broadly, von der Leyen called for a more realistic and interest-driven European foreign policy, arguing that the EU can no longer rely solely on international rules to safeguard its interests. She described Europe’s pursuit of greater strategic independence—across defence, energy, critical raw materials, and emerging technologies—as a generational project.

The conference also featured contributions from Kaja Kallas, High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, and Belén López, Secretary-General of the European External Action Service. Discussions covered key global priorities including developments in the Middle East, support for Ukraine, enlargement prospects in the Western Balkans and Moldova, and partnerships with regions across Africa, Latin America, South-East Asia, and Central Asia.

In this evolving geopolitical landscape, partnerships with Asia—particularly with India—are expected to play a central role in strengthening Europe’s economic resilience, connectivity initiatives, and global engagement.