The relationship between India and the European Union (EU) is based on shared values and principles such as democracy, rule of law, rules based international order and multilateralism. The ties are multifaceted and cover a broad spectrum of topics including trade, investment, climate change, science and technology, digital, connectivity and agriculture.
India-EU bilateral relations date back to the early 1960s with India being amongst the first countries to establish diplomatic relations with the European Economic Community in 1962. The Joint Political Statement signed in 1993 coupled with the Cooperation Agreement signed in 1994 opened the way for strengthening the bilateral ties. A multi-tiered institutional architecture of cooperation has since been created, presided over by the India-EU Summit since 2000. The first India-EU Summit took place on 28 June 2000 in Lisbon and it marked a watershed in the evolution of the ties. The relationship was upgraded to a ‘Strategic Partnership' during the 5th India-EU Summit held in 2004 in The Hague. As on date, 15 Summits have been held between India and the EU.
In 2021, India was the EU's 10th largest trading partner accounting for around 2% of EU's total bilateral trade in goods. India-EU bilateral trade in goods in 2021 was valued at Euro 88.10 billion (Euro 46.2 billion exports from India and Euro 41.9 billion imports to India).
Trade and Economic issues are also discussed through the India-EU Joint Commission led by Commerce Secretary and EU's Director General for Trade. The Joint Commission has 3 Sub Commissions on Trade, Economic Cooperation and Development Cooperation. There are also Joint Working Groups/Technical Working Groups on Sanitary/Phyto-Sanitary measures (SPS) and Technical Barriers to Trade (TBT); on Agriculture and Marine Products.