The EU and India are constantly working to deepen and broaden political ties.

Their longstanding relationship goes back to the early 1960s. The Joint Political Statement of 1993 and the 1994 Co-operation Agreement opened a broad political dialogue between both sides.

This dialogue has evolved through annual Summits, regular ministerial and senior-official meetings as well as expert gatherings.

In 2004 India became one of the EU’s strategic partners. For the period 2020-2025, our work is guided by the EU-India Strategic Partnership Roadmap, which plans to address:

1. Foreign Policy and Security Cooperation (including Human Rights)
2. Trade and investment, Business & Economy
3. Sustainable Modernisation Partnership (including Climate change & clean energy, Environment, Urban Development, Information and communications technology, Transports, Space, Health and Food Security, Research & Innovation).
4. Global governance & Multilateralism
5. Public Diplomacy, i.e. “People-to-people”: migration, social policies, Education & Culture, Parliaments, Civil Society and Local/Decentralised Authorities.

In addition, Joint Declarations were adopted by EU and India to intensify work on areas such as Connectivity, Water and Resource Efficiency through Circular Economy. In 2023, EU and India also launched a Trade and Technology council meant to lead on digital transformation and green technologies, with a specific focus on: https://ec.europa.eu/commission/presscorner/detail/en/IP_23_596

• Strategic technologies/digital
• Green & clean energy technologies
• Trade, investment and resilient value chains.

The Delegation was established in 1983. Except for consular tasks, the Delegation of the European Union in New Delhi is functioning the same way as an Embassy does; it is a diplomatic mission representing the European Union (EU) to India together with the 27 Member States of the European Union. It performs a variety of tasks aimed at enhancing relations between the EU and India. The European Investment Bank (aka the Climate Bank) is hosted in the same premises. Come and discover them on this website.

The Delegation’s work is shared between the following sections:

Head of Delegation

Hervé Delphin Ambassador of the European Union to India

Deputy Head of Delegation

Ewa Suwara

Political Affairs

The section is responsible for political analysis and reporting, as well as liaising with the Indian government on bilateral and multilateral issues of mutual interest to India and the EU, also working closely with the EU Member States in India and other Missions. The section provides political support to other sections in the implementation of the EU-India Strategic Partnership. It also facilitates contacts, meetings and visits to foster diplomatic, political, security and defence, and inter-parliamentary relations. The Political Section also plays a key role in preparing the annual EU-India Summit, which takes place alternatively in the EU and India, as well as Ministerial and other high-level meetings. Moreover, the section is in charge of security and defence, in close connection with defence attaches of EU Member States, with a number of security dialogues and expert-level contacts (on counter-terrorism, cyber security, disarmament and non-proliferation, space policy and maritime security issues) held every year. The Political Section also maintains multiple contacts with civil society organisations, think tanks and universities. The section is responsible for the identification and the conduct of projects in support to the political dialogues, including the twinning initiatives of EU and Indian think tanks, contacts with universities to support European studies in India.

Research and Innovation Section

The Research and Innovation (R&I) Section in the Delegation plays a vital role in facilitating cooperation between the relevant authorities in the Indian government and the European Commission in the field of research and innovation. The R&I Section also strives to connect with the Indian scientific community and innovation ecosystem to promote collaboration on R&I.

To achieve this goal, the R&I Section engages in the following activities:

• Policy Analysis: The R&I Section gathers information on the latest R&I policy developments, actions, and activities in India to stay up to date on the most recent advancements in the field.
• Policy Development: The R&I Section contributes to the international dimension and cooperation strategy on the European Union's policies on various topics, ranging from greening the economy to digital agenda and connectivity.
• Representation and Communication: The R&I Section establishes connections and networks with stakeholders to promote cooperation under the EU's framework programme 'Horizon Europe'. Additionally, the R&I Section coordinates actions with the R&I Counsellors of the EU Member States and countries associated with the EU R&I Framework Programme.

The R&I Section maintains regular contact with the Indian research community and innovation actors such as incubators and accelerators. The R&I Section creates awareness and promotes cooperation between Europe and India through workshops, outreach events, and regional visits to universities and leading research institutes throughout the country.

If you require more information, please contact [email protected]

Trade and Economic Affairs

The Trade & Economic Affairs Section manages all activities related to the EU's trade policy. This comprises both the multilateral (World Trade Organisation -- WTO) and bilateral levels, including the negotiation of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between India and the EU, and market access issues. It does so in close cooperation with the EU Member States. This Section not only covers the entire range of trade-related issues, but also economic sectors such as transport, agriculture, finance or telecom, to name but a few. Regular contacts and exchanges with Indian institutions from the government to civil society also form part of its daily work. Not to forget one of the central functions of this Section, namely to monitor and analyse trade and economic developments of India as input to decision-making at Brussels Headquarters.

Cooperation Section- Development Cooperation and International Partnerships

European Union cooperation activities in India and Bhutan are in line with the 5Ps of the European Consensus for Development.

• People and Peace- Asi@ Connect, Local Authorities for Development, civil society to promote livelihoods, sustainable development, vocational training and protection of the human rights EIDHR.
• Prosperity- Switch Asia, Erasmus+programme, Asis Investment Facility( blending) projects.
• Planet- Renewable Energy Clean Technologies and Energy Efficiency, Disaster Risk Management.
• Partnerships- 2030 Agenda for sustainable development & innovative engagement 'leaving no one behind'. Projects promote South Asia regional cooperation and cooperation with third countries- networking, capacity building and knowledge sharing in different thematic areas.

E-mail: [email protected]

Press and Information Section

The Press and Information Section undertakes the communication activities of the Delegation. It is responsible for relations with the media and the public, reaching out to them through news releases, newsletters and pamphlets, and organising events to make the activities of the EU better known in India. It also maintains this website and is responsible for replying to all general requests for information about the EU, its institutions and this Delegation.

E-mail: [email protected]

Administration

The Administration Section provides the support to the functioning of the entire Delegation. This Section is responsible for administrative matters, including personnel, infrastructures and administrative budget.

The EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations Department (ECHO)

The European Commission’s department for Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations has a regional support office in Bangkok, Thailand, providing humanitarian assistance to countries across Asia and the Pacific. To better respond to crises at the local level, the EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid has also offices in  Afghanistan, Bangladesh, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Pakistan and the Philippines.

The EU humanitarian assistance policy is a practical expression of the EU’s solidarity with the victims of conflict or disasters, both natural and manmade worldwide. The European Commission has a longstanding commitment to help the victims of such crises; providing relief assistance that goes directly to people in distress, irrespective of their gender, religion, ethnic origin or political affiliation. Working with humanitarian partners in the field, the humanitarian aid department swiftly supplies aid when disaster strikes and continues to help stricken regions after the catastrophe. Aid is delivered to the most vulnerable, according to the humanitarian principles -- impartially, independently and neutrally whilst preserving the dignity of the most affected population. The EU Civil Protection and Humanitarian Aid Operations department has been providing assistance to people in need since 1992. Its annual humanitarian budget is just over €1 billion and helps millions of people across the globe each year. 

E-mail: [email protected]