Against the backdrop of global armed and trade conflicts, strategic partnerships between India and the European Union seem to finally be shaping common interests. This follows the announcement that the India-EU Free Trade Agreement is to be signed and announced on 27th January 2026 in Delhi. It is a landmark achievement after nearly two decades of stalled negotiations. With a combined market of 2 billion people and 25% of global GDP, this deal could redraw global trade lines—and shield both sides from US tariff shocks.

The first meeting of the Joint Steering Committee (JSC) for India-EU Trilateral Cooperation was held in New Delhi on 19th January 2026, co-chaired by Ambassador of the Delegation of the European Union to India Hervé Delphin and Indian Ministry of External Affairs Joint Secretary Priyanka Chauhan. 

An Indian spokesperson said the meeting reaffirmed India’s commitment towards trilateral cooperation to shape a development agenda with developing countries. The JSC agreed on the modalities to jointly create and work together on solutions addressing development challenges around the world. The JSC agreed to work with partner countries based on shared values, mutual interests, and common developmental priorities in a collaborative trilateral framework to implement development cooperation projects in priority sectors and regions.

It is significant that India and the EU are beginning to focus on shared interests and shared priorities despite the past disconnect on worldviews. The US trade tariffs seem to have hastened the coming together on practical agendas despite differences on geopolitical issues and geopolitical priorities.