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The account of global development has visibly changed, the world order quickly launching curve balls. Trump 2.0’s growing prices and the decrease in aid marked the beginning of 2025, resulting in a domino effect on geopolitics and geoeconomics. New stories are emerging, where advanced nations, such as those of the European Union (EU), central and eastern Europe (CEE), And Australia and Japan look significantly towards poles of stability and sustainability. The Ukraine crisis, coupled with current conflicts in Gaza and in the broader Middle East, as well as sudden increases in terrorism in some parts of Africa and Asia, including recent Indian-Pakistani pearls after the terrorist attack by Pahalgam-has indeed rendered vulnerable and weak global systems.
India and the EU have not remained intact. Positioned at different stages of development and possession different world visionsHowever, there is a visible desire to amplify and strengthen the strategic partnership shared by New Delhi and Brussels. THE Visit of the college of European Union commissionersDirected by Ursula von der Leyen, in India, he was not only the first by the new commission outside the EU, but also the first visit of this type in the history of bilateral relations of India -EU – obliging a significant start to its new mandate. More than two decades after having signed the strategic partnership in India-EU 2004The EU has launched its Indian strategy in 2018. Nevertheless, an immense scope remains to improve strategic influence and maximize synergies between the two actors in several sectors.
Sustainability strategy
Progress towards the global sustainability program has been rather fragmented. It has become imperative for the international community to trace cataloging problems of post -2010s linked to – financing likely, improving long -term quality and connectivity, strengthening trade and reducing economic obstacles, and attacking climate change by adaptation and attenuation.
The EU and India have both been vocal in their approach to sustainable development and the protection of ecology and the environment.
The EU and India have both been vocal in their approach to sustainable development and the protection of ecology and the environment. For example, during its presidency of the G20, India has become an ardent defender of life (lifestyle for the environment), urging the countries of the Northern worldwide to be aware of production and consumption, thus advancing the objective of a circular economy. On the other hand, while the EU has long been considered an ambitious climate leader, its practical adoption has been minimal. In this sense, India and the EU can further materialize their commitment to the energy transition by filling the financing gaps for technological transfers and by expanding discourse on the climate financing agenda. For example, Brussels is support The “Green Steel mission” of the Indian government thanks to joint research and innovation to decarbonize the Steel sector of India. India should also exploit Green EU innovations in clean and resilient energy technologies to the climate to achieve its durability objectives.
Press for partnerships
India’s position in the world south is unique due to two key factors – it is an emerging economic power and an increasing diplomatic scammer.
While the Bandung conference marks its 70th Birthday in 2025, its fundamental principles – human rights, territorial integrity, promotion of mutual interests and cooperation, conflict resolution and peace – maintain outstanding relevance In contemporary times. Thanks to its presidency of the G20 in 2023 and its long -standing membership in Brics, India has become one of the main voices of the world South. New Delhi’s efforts to join the African Union (AU) as a full -fledged member of the G20 highlights this important development. Although South-South cooperation (SSC) is not a new phenomenon, it has acquired renewed interest In the midst of increasing strategic competition and the widening of the divide between the West and the South world. India’s position in the world south is unique due to two key factors – it is an emerging economic power and an increasing diplomatic scammer. Indeed, the prominence of New Delhi has become obvious in recent years. For example, despite the isolationism of Trump which reshapes the world order, India has maintained balanced relations with the United States (United States) and Russia. While India position On the crisis of Ukraine constitutes peace, dialogue and diplomacy, its approach is also motivated by pragmatic geopolitical interests. Its continuation of the multi -alignment – or what can also be called multi -voter diplomacy – is the key. This approach represents a lucrative opportunity for the EU to work with India. New Delhi and Brussels want to contribute to a multilateral world order and diversify their commitment to forge more resilient and more resilient partnerships.
Attack trade, technology and Trump
Although the recent trade agreement Between the United States and China, signed in Geneva, can temporarily compensate for tensions, international markets are still cautious. In addition, the elimination of USAID throws a serious shadow on the global sustainability program. Trump’s recent remarks on acting as a peace and negotiation broker of a ceasefire between India and Pakistan were not well received by New Delhi.
At the same time, the EU is found in a precarious position because it seeks to draw a course in the intensification of high power rivalries. THE “Chinese challenge“Is a shared concern for India and the EU. The threat is tangible – the EU openly considers China as a systemic rival. The transition from the position of the “decoupling” to “derisory” underlines Brussels’s attempt to sail on common ground and maintain a competitive relationship with Beijing.
Trump’s trade wars raise a crucial question: should the EU deepened its links with China or seek alternatives in the world, like India?
Trump’s trade wars Lifting a crucial question: should the EU deepen its links with China or seek alternatives in the South world, like India? Given the systemic challenges that China poses, working with New Delhi seems to be a more practical option for Brussels. Experts Posit that the overcapacity of Beijing in manufacturing could lead to the spill of inexpensive products on European markets as a countermeasure at the exorbitant prices of Trump. In addition, the growth of China’s weight in the artificial manufacturing of cheap products in all industries, such as critical minerals, semiconductors, solar panels, humanoid robots and cars-puts both Europe and the United States.
In this context, the EU should associate with India to strengthen its competitiveness in emerging and critical technologies, thus helping to maintain the balance of the world order. The renewal and redefinition of these partnerships are imperative given the contemporary geopolitical landscape. India and the EU should develop a long -term roadmap strategy, politically beneficial, economically achievable and developing development for common global good.
Swati Prabhu Is a member associated with the Center for New Economic Diplomacy, observing Research Foundation.
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