A European Parliament Committee delegation on Industry, Research & Energy (ITRE), led by Angelika Winzig from Austria, met with Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh on September 22, 2026, to discuss implementation of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement and deeper cooperation in science, technology, and emerging technologies. The delegation included multiple Members of European Parliament from Austria, Netherlands, Spain, Denmark, Estonia, and Lithuania, while the Indian side included senior officials from 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 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 momentum to the strategic partnership. The Minister highlighted research and innovation as central to India's Viksit Bharat 2047 vision, referencing 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 areas identified for cooperation include Artificial Intelligence (particularly in healthcare and science applications), quantum technologies across research and ecosystem development, semiconductors aligning India's initiatives with the EU Chips framework, and next-generation telecommunications including 6G. The meeting noted substantial progress under the India-EU Trade and Technology Council, 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.
Additional initiatives discussed include the proposed India-EU Innovation Hub on Electric Vehicle Charging Technologies and Testing, knowledge sharing on Hydrogen Valleys, and cooperation on hydrogen-related safety standards. Dr Singh highlighted the potential for green hydrogen exports from India to the EU over the medium term. Regarding the Horizon Europe programme, discussions on India's association are progressing with substantial convergence, though some legal, financial, and institutional issues remain under discussion. India remains committed to concluding negotiations expeditiously for a balanced arrangement that expands opportunities for researchers, institutions, and industry.