India’s relationship with Europe is on the cusp of a major expansion, with both sides seeking to elevate their partnership to address economic uncertainty and geopolitical instability worldwide, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said on Wednesday. His remarks come at a time of heightened diplomatic engagement between New Delhi and European capitals, marked by a series of high-level visits and renewed momentum toward concluding a long-pending India–European Union free trade agreement (FTA).

A Partnership Ready to Deepen

Speaking to the media in Paris after a meeting in the Weimar Triangle format with his counterparts from France, Germany, and Poland, Jaishankar said India views its ties with Europe as having “the most room to grow” among its major international relationships today. The engagement, he noted, is not only about trade and technology but also about shaping a more stable global order during a period of significant international upheaval.

“India believes its relationship with Europe is poised to grow to the next level,” Jaishankar said, underlining the breadth of ongoing discussions between the two sides. These include negotiations on a comprehensive FTA and cooperation across a wide range of sectors such as advanced technology, semiconductors, railways, defence, and civil aviation.

He stressed that while economic cooperation is central, the partnership carries broader strategic significance. “There’s really a very substantive relationship and much more that can be done,” he said, adding that India and Europe must also engage in a larger conversation about the kind of global order they want to build and the norms that should govern international relations.

Europe as a Key Global Player

Jaishankar emphasized that Europe’s importance in global politics makes a stronger India–Europe relationship not only desirable but necessary. At a time when global supply chains are under strain, conflicts are reshaping regional security dynamics, and institutions of global governance are being tested, closer coordination between India and Europe could contribute to greater international stability.

“Because Europe is such an important player in global politics, it’s also necessary that India strengthen its relationship,” he said. “I think we can bring more stability both into the international economy and global politics.”

His comments reflect India’s broader foreign policy approach, which seeks to diversify partnerships and deepen engagement with multiple power centres rather than aligning exclusively with any single bloc.

Weimar Triangle and India’s Growing Role

The Paris meeting was held in the Weimar Triangle format, which traditionally brings together France, Germany, and Poland. Established in 1991 at Germany’s initiative, the forum was originally designed to promote cooperation and dialogue within Europe, particularly following the end of the Cold War.

Jaishankar’s participation marked India’s first engagement in this format, a development he described as indicative of the country’s growing relevance in European strategic thinking. He said the discussions focused on three broad areas: India–EU relations, developments in the Indo-Pacific, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

While he did not go into specifics, Jaishankar noted that India’s inclusion in the talks reflected Europe’s recognition of India as a consequential global actor. “Another context for India’s participation in the meeting is a world that is under churn,” he said, pointing to overlapping crises and transitions in different regions.

A World in Flux

Jaishankar observed that the Indo-Pacific has been experiencing strategic churn for several years, while Europe is grappling with its own set of challenges, many of which carry far-reaching strategic implications. Beyond regional developments, he said, there are “overarching developments that could redefine the global order itself.”

These shifts, he argued, make it imperative for like-minded partners to work more closely. India’s engagement with Europe, therefore, is not limited to bilateral ties with individual countries but extends to cooperation with the EU as a collective entity.

“Among India’s major relationships, I believe that the one with the EU and Europe, and obviously with its member states, has the most room to grow today,” Jaishankar said.

Momentum from High-Level Visits

The coming weeks are set to see a flurry of high-level diplomatic engagements that are expected to inject fresh momentum into India–Europe relations. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz is scheduled to visit India on January 12–13 for talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The visit is expected to focus on economic cooperation, strategic dialogue, and coordination on global issues.

This will be followed by a landmark visit later in January by the European Union’s top leadership. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President Antonio Costa will travel to India as chief guests for the Republic Day celebrations on January 26. Their presence underscores the political importance both sides attach to the partnership.

During this visit, India and the EU are expected to announce the finalisation of their free trade agreement, a deal that has been under negotiation for years. If concluded, the FTA would mark a significant milestone, potentially boosting bilateral trade, easing market access, and strengthening supply chain resilience between the two economies.

Trade, Technology, and Strategic Cooperation

Beyond the FTA, India and Europe are exploring deeper collaboration in areas critical to future growth and security. These include semiconductors, where both sides are keen to reduce dependence on limited supply sources; clean and advanced technologies; modern rail and transport systems; and defence and aerospace cooperation.

The partnership also extends to emerging domains such as artificial intelligence and digital governance, areas where Europe’s regulatory experience and India’s technological scale could prove complementary.

In February, French President Emmanuel Macron is set to visit India to launch the India–France Year of Innovation alongside Prime Minister Modi. Macron will also participate in the AI Impact Summit, highlighting the growing emphasis on innovation-led cooperation between India and key European partners.

A Strategic Bet on the Future

Jaishankar’s remarks in Paris underline a broader strategic calculation in New Delhi: that Europe, despite its current challenges, remains a vital partner in shaping the future international system. As global power becomes more diffused and traditional alliances face stress, India sees value in building resilient, multi-dimensional partnerships.

For Europe, closer ties with India offer access to one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies and a strategic partner in the Indo-Pacific. For India, Europe represents a source of investment, technology, and political support in multilateral forums.

As a series of high-profile visits and potential agreements loom, the coming months may well determine whether India–Europe relations can indeed move to the “next level” that Jaishankar believes is within reach.