Trump resists bonding with India as the European Union moves towards a closer alliance

In the complex landscape of global politics, Europe and India are strengthening their ties, forging a path towards increased cooperation.

At the recent Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) summit, Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi was seen joyfully holding hands with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, the EU has accused China of being the "key enabler" of Putin's war, with multiple open fronts with the West.

Against this backdrop, Ursula von der Leyen, the President of the European Commission, and Antoño Costa, the President of the European Council, held a joint phone call with Narendra Modi. The conversation took place just a few days after the SCO summit.

The EU's foreign minister is seeking India's help to bring Russia to Ukraine peace talks. Germany's foreign minister, in particular, is keen on India's involvement, as Europe looks for allies in its diplomatic efforts.

In a pragmatic approach to diplomacy, von der Leyen spoke about the need to focus on common interests and priorities, rather than dwelling on disagreements. This sentiment was echoed during Modi's official visit to New Delhi, where he and von der Leyen committed to reaching a free trade deal by the end of the year.

The EU has accepted India's relationship with Moscow, based on a long tradition of geopolitical trust and a strong dependence on Russian military equipment. Despite Russia being an adversary, the EU has tolerated India's continued ties with Russia.

Bilateral cooperation between the EU and India covers various areas, including climate change, green energy, maritime security, natural disasters, and student exchange. The EU and India plan to agree on a joint strategic agenda at the next EU-India summit, as early as possible in 2026.

Commerce between the EU and India is booming, with €120 billion worth of goods traded between the two parties last year. An estimated 6,000 European companies operate in India, supporting 2 million direct and 6 million indirect jobs.

However, the US-India relationship has taken a turn for the worse. The US has imposed 50% tariffs on India in response to its multi-billion purchases of Russian oil. Indians consider these tariffs unjustified and capricious.

The sharp deterioration in US-India relations has unravelled the work painstakingly done by previous US administrations. In contrast, the European Commission and the European Council "warmly" welcomed Modi's engagement with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

India, the world's most populous country, is the second country, after the US, to establish a Trade and Technology Council (TTC) with the EU. This move signifies India's commitment to an inclusive, multi-vector foreign policy, forging disparate alliances around the world.

As Europe and India strengthen their ties, they are navigating a complex geopolitical landscape. The EU's diplomatic overtures are gaining new appreciation, thanks in part to Trump's scorched-earth tactics. The future of EU-India relations promises to be an interesting chapter in the ongoing narrative of global politics.

Trump resists bonding with India as the European Union moves towards a closer alliance