EU and India?

The European Union and the Republic of India benefit from a longstanding relationship going back to the early 1960s. The Joint Political Statement of 1993 and the 1994 Co-operation Agreement, which is the current legislative framework for cooperation, opened the door to a broad political dialogue, which evolves through annual Summits, regular ministerial and expert level meetings. In 2004 India became one of the EU’s “Strategic Partners” ( Joint Press Statement ). Since 2005, the Joint Action Plan which was revised in 2008 , is helping to realise the full potential of this partnership in key areas of interest for India and the EU. Current efforts are centered on: ongoing negotiations for a trade and investment agreement; finalization of ongoing transport negotiations (maritime transport) and implementation of the joint work programme on climate change adopted at the last Summit in 2008. The Country Strategy Paper for India 2007-2013 (€470 million in total – a yearly average of €67 million) concentrates EU funds on health, education and the implementation of the Joint Action Plan.

Source: India, europa.eu