At the third India‑EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in Brussels, Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar warned that global economic pressures have made supply‑chain resilience and predictable markets essential. He stressed that "diversified production and trusted partnerships are the only ways to de‑risk the system," underscoring a shared push toward more secure, multipolar trade networks.

Strategic Background

Established in April 2022 by President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the TTC was created to tackle intertwined challenges in trade, trusted technology, and security. While earlier meetings focused on digital services, data protection, and intellectual‑property rights, this session pivoted to supply‑chain diversification and deep‑tech collaboration.

Formal Talks on Horizon Europe

Both parties committed to opening formal negotiations on India’s association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research programme. This move will grant Indian research institutions access to EU funding streams, especially in climate mitigation, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence, weaving India tighter into the European innovation fabric.

Deep‑Tech Startup Partnership

A new bilateral startup partnership targeting deep‑tech and clean‑technology solutions was also announced. The initiative aims to channel European capital, market access, and mentorship to Indian innovators, while European firms tap into India’s rapidly expanding startup ecosystem.

Future Trajectory

Jaishankar declared that "the India‑EU partnership is poised to reach greater heights," citing the free‑trade agreement, security‑defence pact, and mobility framework as this year’s key achievements. He added that the TTC’s comprehensive strategic agenda will be the engine driving these outcomes, reinforcing supply‑chain resilience as a global priority in a multipolar world.