India-EU Strengthen Tech & Trade Partnership

New Delhi, July 16, 2026 India and the European Union have taken another significant step towards expanding their strategic partnership by strengthening collaboration in technology, innovation, trade, and industrial development. The latest meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) focused on building resilient supply chains, promoting emerging technologies, and creating greater opportunities for startups, businesses, and research institutions. The discussions reflected the shared commitment of both sides to fostering long-term economic growth through innovation-driven cooperation. A major outcome of the meeting was the agreement to launch a Deep-Tech Startup Partnership, bringing together organisations such as the European Innovation Council and Startup India to support cross-border market access and commercialisation opportunities. Both sides also decided that the India-EU Business Forum, introduced during the 16th India-EU Summit, will now be held annually, alongside regular industry-specific engagements. Greater emphasis will also be placed on industrial partnerships and skills development under the TTC framework, while the next ministerial meeting is scheduled to be hosted by India in New Delhi in 2027. Following the meeting, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar described the discussions as productive, stating that "trusted and reliable partnerships such as that between India and the European Union are increasingly important at a time when the global economy faces supply chain disruptions, market access challenges and technology gaps." He said the ministers reviewed cooperation across strategic technologies, digital connectivity, clean energy, trade, investment and resilient supply chains, while also focusing on emerging technologies, skilling, deep-tech startups, green hydrogen, electric vehicles and batteries. Earlier in the day, Dr. Jaishankar participated in the India-EU Business Roundtable, where he highlighted the growing trust between India and Europe and underscored the need for businesses to fully utilise expanding opportunities in investment, research and development, and innovation. The latest outcomes of the Trade and Technology Council underline the growing depth of India-EU relations and reinforce their shared vision of strengthening cooperation across critical sectors. With a stronger focus on innovation, industrial collaboration, and technology-led growth, both partners aim to create new avenues for sustainable economic progress and future-ready partnerships.