India-EU Strategic Partnership Meeting on Science and Technology Cooperation
A European Parliament Committee delegation on Industry, Research & Energy (ITRE), led by Angelika Winzig from Austria and Raffaele Stancanelli, called on Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh to discuss the effective implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and deeper cooperation in science, technology, research, and critical emerging technologies. The meeting took place on September 22, 2026, with the Indian delegation comprising senior officials from the Department of Space, Department of Science & Technology, Department of Biotechnology, CSIR, Department of Atomic Energy, and Ministry of External Affairs.
Dr. Jitendra Singh emphasized that the early and effective implementation of the India-EU FTA should remain a collective priority and expressed India's expectation of continued support from the European Parliament for its early signing and ratification. He stated that the FTA would open new opportunities for businesses, consumers, and skilled professionals while providing further momentum to the multifaceted India-EU strategic partnership.
Research and Innovation Priorities
The Minister highlighted that research and innovation are central to the Government's vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with focus on high-impact research, translation of research into technologies and products, and increased industry participation. He referenced the Anusandhan National Research Foundation (ANRF) and the EUR 10 billion Research, Development and Innovation (RDI) initiative aimed at catalysing high-risk, high-impact research and nurturing deep-tech startups.
Specific Cooperation Areas
Dr. Singh invited greater India-EU cooperation in frontier areas including Artificial Intelligence (particularly in healthcare and science applications), quantum technologies (across research, applications, skills, and ecosystem development), advanced materials, biotechnology, and semiconductors. He noted that India's growing semiconductor ecosystem and the EU's efforts toward resilient semiconductor supply chains provide scope for cooperation, with potential synergies between India's semiconductor initiatives and the EU Chips framework in research, innovation, investment, and ecosystem development.
Green Technology and Climate Collaboration
The Minister called for stronger collaboration on clean and green technologies, climate, and environmental challenges. Under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), substantial progress has been made on priority clean and green technology workstreams, including a EUR 60 million joint investment over four years to support collaborative research on waste-to-hydrogen, marine pollution, and recycling of electric vehicle batteries.
The discussions also covered the proposed India-EU Innovation Hub on Electric Vehicle Charging Technologies and Testing, which is being developed as a platform bringing together research capacity, testing infrastructure, standards expertise, and startup ecosystems from both sides. India and the EU are sharing knowledge on Hydrogen Valleys and working toward cooperation on hydrogen-related safety standards, with potential for green hydrogen exports from India to the EU over the medium term.
Horizon Europe Program
On the Horizon Europe programme, Dr. Singh stated that India's association would expand opportunities for Indian researchers to partner with European institutions in cutting-edge research areas. Discussions on India's association are progressing well with substantial convergence, though some legal, financial, and institutional issues remain under discussion. India remains committed to concluding negotiations expeditiously and looks forward to a balanced, mutually beneficial arrangement that expands opportunities for researchers, institutions, and industry.