India and the European Union (EU) on Monday, 9 November 2026 held their seventh India-EU Strategic Partnership Review Meeting (SPRM) in New Delhi, reviewing progress on the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and agreeing to advance talks on the Investment Protection Agreement and the Agreement on Geographical Indications, according to a joint press release. The meeting underscored the deepening trade and technology partnership between two of the world's largest economies.

Key Agenda and Agreements

The SPRM was co-chaired by Sibi George, Secretary (West) at India's Ministry of External Affairs (MEA), and Matti Maasikas, Deputy Secretary General for Geoeconomics and Interinstitutional Issues of the European External Action Service. Both sides reviewed implementation of the Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda adopted at the 16th India-EU Summit held in New Delhi on 27 January 2026. 'Both sides welcomed the very positive momentum in the India-EU relations,' the joint statement noted.

Trade, Technology and Supply Chains

Discussions ranged across a broad set of strategic priorities. Both sides agreed to strengthen supply chains and economic security through the Trade and Technology Council (TTC) and the Blue Valleys initiative. On critical and emerging technologies, the two sides discussed cooperation on artificial intelligence (AI), quantum technologies, digital public infrastructure (DPI), advanced semiconductors, clean tech, and biotechnology. They also expressed satisfaction over deepening research collaboration, including India's potential association with Horizon Europe.

Notably, the two sides agreed to pursue cooperation to include Indian ship recycling yards that comply with EU Regulation on Ship Recycling in its list of approved ship recycling facilities — a nod to India's growing role in global maritime trade infrastructure.

IMEC and Connectivity Push

Connectivity emerged as a headline theme. Both sides underscored the importance of strengthening the Global Gateway initiative and the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), along with trilateral projects spanning clean energy, climate resilience, green mobility, and digitalisation. This comes amid sustained geopolitical interest in IMEC as a strategic counterweight to China's Belt and Road Initiative, though neither side referenced that framing explicitly.

People-to-People Ties and What Comes Next

Both delegations reviewed steps to enhance people-to-people contacts, covering talent mobility, education, and skills development. Progress on the European Legal Gateway Office was also discussed. The next SPRM is scheduled to take place in Brussels at a mutually convenient date in 2027.

The meeting builds on significant recent momentum: last month, European Council President Antonio Costa indicated that Prime Minister Narendra Modi would visit Brussels in December to formally sign the India-EU FTA. The pact, whose negotiations were concluded earlier this year, is projected to create a combined market of over two billion people, accounting for roughly a quarter of the global economy. The formal signing, if confirmed, would mark a historic milestone in India-EU economic relations.