India-EU Strengthen Ties with Focus on AI and Indo-Pacific Security

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to India aims to enhance collaboration in AI and Indo-Pacific security. The historic visit with the EU College of Commissioners seeks to deepen ties in various sectors, including trade and technology. Discussions also cover formalizing naval cooperation in the Indo-Pacific.

As European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen commences her visit to India on Thursday, New Delhi is poised to bolster its relationship with the European Union through enhanced cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI) and Indo-Pacific security, according to sources within the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

The delegation, comprising 22 of the 27 EU Commissioners, marks the first collective visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India and outside Europe since December 2024. MEA officials underscored India's interest in advancing AI collaboration, citing Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent participation in a significant AI summit in France. The visit signifies mutual benefits given the EU's established AI norms and legislative framework.

The EU has articulated its Indo-Pacific strategy, indicating a keen interest in bolstering collaborations in the region, potentially including formalized agreements for naval coordination. The visit is set to enhance India-EU engagement across multiple sectors, including trade, investments, green technologies, and more, with a pivotal focus on the Trade and Technology Council's second Ministerial Meeting.