On 20 October 2025, the Council of the European Union approved conclusions on a new strategic agenda for the partnership between the European Union (EU) and India. Consilium+2data.consilium.europa.eu+2 In an increasingly complex geopolitical and geoeconomic environment, this deepened cooperation comes at a key moment. Consilium+1

The agenda is structured around five inter-linked pillars: prosperity & sustainability; technology & innovation; security & defence; connectivity & global issues; and enablers that cut across all pillars. (This mirrors the body excerpt you provided.) The Council’s endorsement signals shared political will between the EU and India to move beyond traditional trade relations into a more strategic partnership. data.consilium.europa.eu+1

The Five Pillars: What They Cover

1. Prosperity & Sustainability
This pillar emphasises trade, economic growth, diversification of supply chains, and the green/digital transition. The Council’s conclusions note the importance of decarbonisation, clean energy technologies, and collaboration on industrial value-chains. data.consilium.europa.eu+1

2. Technology & Innovation
The agenda aims to deepen research and innovation partnerships, start-up ecosystems, and domains like semiconductors, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and supply-chain resilience. data.consilium.europa.eu+1

3. Security & Defence
Given the backdrop of a shifting security landscape, the EU and India are exploring a Security & Defence Partnership: maritime security, counter-terrorism, cyber/hybrid threats, space, defence industrial cooperation. data.consilium.europa.eu+1

4. Connectivity & Global Issues
The agenda underscores strategic connectivity — including infrastructure in third countries — via the EU’s Global Gateway and India’s role as a rising development partner. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor is flagged as a new axis of collaboration. data.consilium.europa.eu

5. Enablers Across Pillars
This refers to supportive frameworks such as investment protection, mobility and migration protocols, people-to-people ties (education, culture), governance of technologies, and multilateral engagement (e.g., with the World Trade Organization) and international law. The Hans India+1

Conclusion

The approval by the European Council of the new strategic EU-India agenda marks a significant milestone in the evolving partnership between the EU and India. Anchored around five comprehensive pillars — prosperity & sustainability, technology & innovation, security & defence, connectivity & global issues, and enabling frameworks — the agenda signals ambition, depth and a shared roadmap for the years ahead.

Yet, ambition will need to translate into action. Finalising a free trade agreement by year-end, operationalising investment protection mechanisms, and executing connectivity and defence cooperation will test the resolve of both sides. For India, this offers a pathway into higher-value global roles; for the EU, a chance to deepen strategic reach in the Indo-Pacific era. Ultimately, if both sides deliver, this agenda could redefine not just bilateral ties but also set a template for how major powers cooperate in a rapidly shifting world.