India and Europe Strengthen Their Strategic Partnership at the India-EU Forum 2026

On February 6 and 7, 2026, New Delhi hosted the inaugural India-EU Forum, a significant event aimed at strengthening cooperation between India and the European Union. The forum gathered more than 200 senior policymakers, business leaders, and strategic experts from India and EU member countries. The gathering focused on expanding collaboration in trade, security, technology, and global geopolitics. During the forum, Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias highlighted the rising importance of India to Europe. He stated that India has become an essential partner for Europe, emphasizing its increasing strategic and economic role. This marks a shift in how Europe sees India, from being a “nice-to-have” partnership to a “necessary-to-have” alliance. Dendias expressed strong support for the proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the European Union and India. He mentioned that such an agreement would bring considerable benefits to both Europe and Greece, and would help deepen economic ties. The event also saw key figures from India’s government. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar addressed the forum’s opening session on February 6. Additionally, Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal participated in a special session held the same day. Their involvement underlined the importance India gives to strengthening its ties with Europe. On February 7, the Greek Defence Minister participated in a fireside chat, sharing insights on strategic cooperation. The discussions aimed to turn the shared strategic interests into practical actions. This comes shortly after the recent India-EU Summit, where leaders discussed broad areas of partnership. The forum highlighted the intent of both sides to work more closely together in various domains. Focus areas include enhancing trade relations, improving security cooperation, and fostering technological exchange. Participants agreed that stronger cooperation would support regional stability and economic growth. As part of the ongoing negotiations, the proposed EU-India Free Trade Agreement remains a key focus. However, as of February 2026, there is no official confirmation about the precise terms or the timeline for this agreement. Similarly, no official details have been released regarding the specific outcomes or agreements of the India-EU Summit mentioned during the forum. The discussions so far indicate a shared interest in deepening ties but do not specify concrete commitments. The India-EU Forum 2026 signifies a strategic effort by both regions to build a more robust partnership. It reflects their recognition of mutual benefits in cooperation across multiple sectors. The forum also demonstrates the growing importance of India as a key partner for Europe in a complex and interconnected world. Going forward, both India and Europe are expected to continue dialogues and negotiations aimed at translating strategic promises into lasting actions. This ongoing engagement suggests a shared view that collaboration will be vital for addressing future global challenges and opportunities.