Overview
India is one of the world’s largest and most dynamic economies and an essential partner for the EU in promoting a rules-based global order and tackling global challenges. With strong economic growth and major ambitions in the green and digital transitions, India plays a key role in shaping the future of Asia and the Indo-Pacific.
Our partnership
The EU–India relationship is rooted in shared values of democracy, rule of law, and sustainable development. Under the Global Gateway strategy, the EU and India are stepping up cooperation across key sectors, from urban development and green energy to digital transformation and trade.
Our partnership is driven by common goals: a green and just transition, sustainable growth, and inclusive governance. India’s role as a regional leader and global player makes it a strategic partner in building resilient economies, tackling climate change, and shaping digital standards. Team Europe in India brings together the EU, the European Investment Bank, France, Germany as well as other EU Member States and the private sector to deliver on Global Gateway objectives. Sustainable urbanisation is the first Global Gateway (GG) flagship for India launched in 2024.
Under the Asia-Pacific Regional Indicative Programme (2021–2024), the EU has committed €100 million to partnerships in India, focusing on the Green Deal, sustainable growth, trade and the digital transition. Several regional and blended financing programmes further support cooperation in clean energy, mobility, trade, and human development.
EU-India partnership programming documents can be found in the 'Related documents' section below.
Our key initiatives
- Sustainable urbanisation
Together, we support inclusive and climate-resilient urban development:
- Promoting urban planning, governance and access to sustainable basic services in 6 cities through the EU-India Sustainable Urbanisation Policy Dialogue Partnership.
- Facilitating SMART urban development in 12 cities and expanding metro systems in 10 cities.
- Developing climate resilient infrastructure (green affordable housing).
- Improving waste management, river basin management and urban flood management.
- Renewable energy and climate
The EU and India collaborate on clean energy, green finance, and circular economy:
- Supporting green hydrogen, offshore wind, and clean energy through policy dialogues and technical assistance.
- Advancing India’s Just Energy Transition with a focus on coal region transitions.
- Partnering on sustainable finance via credit lines and India’s first Sustainable Finance Facility.
- Contributing to regional connectivity through Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and regional energy trade (CBET).
- Digital transformation
We are working together to promote secure and inclusive digital governance:
- Supporting regulatory convergence and standards development through digital policy dialogues.
- Facilitating convergence on best practices through the Seconded European Standardisation Expert in India (SESEI).
- Promoting women’s rights in the digital economy through grassroots initiatives.
- Agriculture and environment
The EU supports sustainable food systems and nature-positive growth:
- Promoting agroecology, agri-finance, and disruptive technology in farming.
- Facilitating green finance for small rural enterprises.
- Supporting circular economy through SWITCH-Asia projects in textiles, leather, and waste management.
- Trade and innovation
The EU–India partnership supports responsible business and stronger value chains:
- Enhancing cooperation under the Trade and Technology Council on green trade and innovation.
- Supporting EU businesses in India through the Federation of European Businesses in India (FEBI).
- Promoting Corporate Social Responsibility, sustainability, and due diligence in supply chains.
- Engaging India on global challenges
India and the EU are working together globally:
- Collaborating on legal migration, mobility, and trilateral cooperation in third countries.
- Supporting the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) and International Solar Alliance (ISA).
- The EU is developing is cooperation with India trialterally in third countries.
- Promoting EU values
We promote shared values through gender equality, civil society, and human rights:
- Supporting women’s empowerment through WeEmpower India and digital inclusion projects.
- Financing civil society organisations working on livelihoods, local governance, and economic empowerment.
- Supporting initiatives that combat forced labour and promote business and human rights.
- Strengthening strategic communication to raise visibility around the EU–India partnership and Global Gateway.
