Kerala University Hosts EU-India TTC Dialogue

In a major stride towards enhancing bilateral cooperation in trade and emerging technologies, Kerala University, in partnership with the European Union (EU)-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC), convened a high-level networking event that brought together distinguished diplomats, policymakers, industry leaders, and academicians. Held on June 13, 2025, at the university’s Senate Hall in Thiruvananthapuram, the event stood out as a symbolic and strategic convergence of academic insight and global policy dialogue, reflecting the deepening India-EU engagement on key issues of mutual interest. This initiative, driven by shared democratic values and economic aspirations, marked an important moment for sub-national diplomacy and innovation-driven partnerships between India and the European Union.

The gathering was graced by several key dignitaries, including H.E. Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India, Prof. Dr. Mohanan Kunnummal, Vice Chancellor of Kerala University, and Mr. Aseem Mahajan, Joint Secretary (Europe West) from India’s Ministry of External Affairs. The presence of senior EU TTC delegates, officials from the Delegation of the European Union to India, as well as representatives from state-level industry and innovation clusters, enriched the conversation with diverse perspectives. The event’s prominence was further elevated by the participation of Kerala’s Minister for Higher Education, Dr. R. Bindu, who emphasized the importance of higher education and international academic collaborations in shaping knowledge economies.

The event commenced with a formal welcome by Prof. Kunnummal, who underscored Kerala University’s historical role in advancing scholarly inquiry, global dialogue, and technology research. In his address, he stated, “We are deeply honoured to serve as a platform for EU-India deliberations that aim to shape the future of sustainable innovation and inclusive trade. This is more than an institutional collaboration — it is a reaffirmation of our shared future.” This sentiment set the tone for the dynamic exchanges that followed, each highlighting the strategic relevance of the EU-India partnership in an evolving global order.

Ambassador Delphin, delivering the keynote, reflected on the shared objectives of the TTC and the unique opportunity presented by the event to broaden dialogue at the academic and sub-national level. “Our goal through the TTC is not merely to facilitate trade or regulate technology - it is to build enduring frameworks that uphold democratic values, sustainability, and human-centric innovation. Engaging India’s academic institutions like Kerala University is crucial in achieving this vision,” he remarked. His statement resonated with the audience, particularly students and researchers, who saw the event as a channel for knowledge exchange, internships, and transnational collaborations.

The EU-India Trade and Technology Council, established in April 2023, serves as the primary platform to coordinate approaches on trade, technology, and security-related matters between the two partners. Since its inception, the TTC has hosted high-level ministerial meetings, but its outreach to Indian universities reflects a strategic shift toward broad-based stakeholder engagement. This event at Kerala University was one of the first such initiatives in southern India, aiming to include academic and regional voices in the broader bilateral discourse.

The sessions at the event focused on three major thematic areas - digital public infrastructure and cybersecurity, green and sustainable technologies, and standards cooperation. During the thematic panel on digital transformation, Mr. Mahajan highlighted India’s leadership in deploying scalable public digital infrastructure, stating, “India’s Digital Public Infrastructure is not only a model of technological scalability but of societal impact. The EU and India can together lead on digital governance standards that are inclusive, secure, and privacy-respecting.” In response, EU delegates emphasized the potential for convergence between Europe’s GDPR-based frameworks and India’s data empowerment models, signaling intent for future regulatory interoperability.

The segment on sustainable technologies featured rich exchanges on clean energy innovation, circular economy models, and sustainable supply chains. Delegates discussed synergies in green hydrogen, solar technologies, and electric mobility. Dr. Bindu stressed the importance of such collaborations for states like Kerala, which are actively pursuing green transition goals. “Kerala is positioning itself as a knowledge economy and a climate-resilient state. We welcome the EU’s expertise in sustainable innovation, and this dialogue is timely and essential,” she remarked.

The final session dealt with standardization and regulatory cooperation - an area critical for facilitating smoother trade and mutual recognition of technical norms. EU representatives shared insights on the work of the European Standardisation Strategy, while Indian officials expressed the need for deeper cooperation in mutual certification of emerging technologies. Industry participants from Kerala’s IT parks and innovation hubs discussed the operational challenges and opportunities in aligning with EU standards, particularly in the context of exports to the European market.

Beyond the panel discussions, the event facilitated meaningful informal networking among EU and Indian stakeholders. Researchers from the university engaged with visiting delegates on potential academic partnerships, dual-degree programs, and EU-funded research under frameworks like Horizon Europe. The EU’s Erasmus+ and Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions were highlighted as promising avenues for student and faculty mobility. Kerala University’s Department of International Relations and the Institute of Sustainable Development Studies proposed further collaboration on policy research, particularly on climate diplomacy and inclusive innovation.

In a joint press statement issued at the conclusion of the event, the European Union Delegation and Kerala University affirmed their commitment to deepening academic and policy linkages. The statement noted, “The EU-India TTC networking event in Kerala demonstrates the importance of decentralised, inclusive dialogues that harness the knowledge capital of academia to shape future-proof policies and innovation ecosystems.” It also outlined potential follow-up engagements, including a proposal to host an EU-India Youth Policy Forum and launch joint research fellowships.

This networking event signifies more than a moment of dialogue; it marks a milestone in expanding the geographical and institutional footprint of the EU-India partnership. By engaging a leading university in southern India, the TTC is reinforcing its people-centric and regionally inclusive approach to cooperation. The emphasis on mutual learning, standard-setting, and technology governance aligns with the broader geopolitical vision of both India and the EU to act as strategic partners in an increasingly multipolar world.

The event’s success is emblematic of the growing maturity in the EU-India relationship - a partnership no longer confined to capitals but increasingly alive in campuses, labs, and local governance ecosystems. As the TTC continues to evolve, initiatives like this will play a crucial role in grounding policy frameworks in the lived realities and aspirations of the people they seek to serve.