Prime Highlights-
- India and EU launch formal Horizon Europe association talks, aiming to finalize a deal by year end.
- EU targets 2027 entry into force for its free trade agreement with India, alongside expanded research cooperation.
Key Facts-
- EU-India Trade and Technology Council advances Horizon Europe talks in Brussels.
- Deal would let Indian researchers access direct EU funding.
Background-
The EU and India have launched formal talks on India’s association to Horizon Europe, aiming to finalize a deal by year end. Ekaterina Zaharieva, European commissioner for start-ups, research and innovation, said the move connects nearly half a million start-ups and builds a partnership designed for global impact.
The two sides agreed to advance talks at the third EU-India Trade and Technology Council in Brussels. The Horizon Europe deal ties into wider bilateral research talks linked to a future EU-India free trade agreement.
Maroš Šefčovič, European commissioner for trade, said Brussels is working to speed up ratification of that trade deal, targeting entry into force in 2027.
The two sides also agreed to launch a joint electric vehicle charging hub, a deep-tech start-up partnership, and joint work on AI, high-performance computing, climate research and bioinformatics. They will exchange expertise on renewable hydrogen later this year.
India was invited to join Horizon Europe last year, with talks speeding up after Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to New Delhi. Niti Aayog’s Suman Bery has called it the most practical step to strengthen Europe-India science ties.
Indian researchers can already join Horizon Europe projects but cannot receive EU funding directly. A deal would let India pay into the programme’s budget, making its researchers eligible for direct Brussels funding. Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Korea and Japan have all recently joined.