The Emerging Strategic Partnership between India and the EU: A Critical Appraisal

Abstract:  For a long time, the relations between India and the EU have been largely informed by economics without any similar significant engagement at the political level. In recent times however, amongst others, the changing external environment, the EU's emerging profile as a global actor and India's growing importance both regionally and globally warranted the need for greater political dialogue and cooperation between the two sides. What followed therefore was the formalisation at the highest level of the EU's political dialogue with India and its institutionalisation into a meaningful summit-level partnership leading to a strategic partnership. Areas of divergence and challenges remain but the opportunities that have surfaced are significant and deserving of attention. This article critically analyses the growing strategic partnership between India and the EU in the light of both these realities.