PM Modi in Sweden: Strategic Partnership, FTA push and a pitch to double trade in five years
India and Sweden announced a five-year roadmap covering trade, defence, AI, space, startups, mobility and sustainability during Modi’s Gothenburg visit.
The extensive engagement aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of policy priorities, while exploring future avenues for enhancing cooperation on key foreign policy matters, security and defence, particularly in the lead up to the upcoming EU-India Summit.
File Photo: ANI
The European Union’s Political and Security Committee (PSC), led by Chair Ambassador Delphine Pronk and comprising ambassadors of all 27 EU member states, will embark on its first-ever visit to India from September 10 to 14 to deepen cooperation in foreign policy, security, and defence.
The high-level delegation will hold strategic discussions with senior Indian government officials, defence industry representatives, civil society organisations, and leading think tanks, with the aim of shaping future avenues of collaboration ahead of the EU-India Summit in 2026.
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The extensive engagement aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of policy priorities, while exploring future avenues for enhancing cooperation on key foreign policy matters, security and defence, particularly in the lead up to the upcoming EU-India Summit.
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PSC Chair Ambassador Delphine Pronk said, “EU-India collaboration is vital in key areas of mutual interest, including counterterrorism, cybersecurity, hybrid threats, maritime security and maritime domain awareness, space security, defence industry cooperation and countering foreign information manipulation and interference. These critical issues will be high on our agenda and the insights and recommendations gathered from our visit will be presented to the top political leaders of the EU, paving the way for enhanced cooperation”.
Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India emphasised that EU leaders are determined to elevate the EU-India Strategic Partnership coupled with contributing to global stability and security.
further emphasized, “In today’s volatile geopolitical and economic landscape, the EU and India emerge as natural partners with strongly converging interests and shared values. Our leaders are determined to elevate the EU-India Strategic Partnership and harness its immense potential. This partnership of mutual benefit can contribute to the prosperity and safety of our citizens and contribute to global stability and security.”
On the visit, he added, “The PSC visit to India underscores Team Europe’s collective will to strengthen ties with India, especially in the area of defence and security cooperation.”
The visit builds on recent key milestones, including the EU College of Commissioners’ visit to India in February, the inaugural EU-India Strategic Dialogue in June, and the upcoming EU-India Summit in early 2026. The EU is one of India’s largest trading partners and investors, with both sides aiming to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of 2025. The EU and India as large, pluralistic democracies share a strong commitment to upholding the rule of law, human rights, and democratic governance, the official statement said.
The Political and Security Committee is composed of EU Member States’ ambassadors based in Brussels and is chaired by the European External Action Service. It plays a decisive role in the conduct of the EU’s Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) and Common Security and Defence Policy (CSDP). Its key responsibilities include monitoring the international situation and recommending strategic approaches to the Council of the European Union. The Committee also provides guidance to the EU Military Committee and other groups, while ensuring political control and strategic direction of crisis management operations.
Such engagements allow the EU to factor in first hand external views into the EU’s foreign policy shaping and achieve a 360-degree policy assessment.
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