EU and India strengthen technology partnership through TTC
Strategic cooperation grows as EU and India strengthen digital and trade partnership.
The European Union and India have strengthened their strategic partnership at the third meeting of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Brussels, agreeing to deepen cooperation on advanced technologies, trade and resilient supply chains.
Both sides reaffirmed the TTC as their main platform for cooperation on technology, economic security and innovation, while agreeing to upgrade the framework by the end of 2026 under the Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda.
The meeting produced several concrete initiatives.
The EU and India agreed to begin formal negotiations on India’s association with Horizon Europe, establish the first EU-India Innovation Hub focused on electric vehicle charging technologies, and launch a startup partnership supporting deep tech and clean technology companies. They also expanded cooperation on semiconductors, AI, quantum technologies, high-performance computing, 6G and resilient supply chains covering clean energy technologies, pharmaceuticals and agri-food.
On digital technologies, the partners agreed to strengthen cooperation on AI innovation, including healthcare applications, and collaborate on high-performance computing for climate research, natural hazards and bioinformatics. They also committed to advancing interoperability between digital trust services, including digital wallets, building on their earlier agreement on electronic signatures and seals.
The meeting also reaffirmed the strategic importance of the broader EU-India relationship, including ongoing negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement, investment protection and geographical indications.
Ministers instructed TTC working groups to prioritise implementation ahead of the next ministerial meeting.
Why does it matter?
The EU and India are increasingly treating technology as a strategic pillar of their relationship alongside trade and investment. Expanding cooperation on AI, semiconductors, research and digital infrastructure reflects shared interests in strengthening technological competitiveness and reducing vulnerabilities in critical supply chains.
The agreement also illustrates how trade partnerships are evolving into broader technology partnerships. By linking research, innovation, standards and digital trust, the TTC provides a framework that could deepen long-term cooperation while supporting both sides’ economic security and strategic autonomy.
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