The European Union and India signed key trade and defence agreements on May 17, 2026, during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to Gothenburg, Sweden [1, 3].
These agreements signal a strategic shift to deepen cooperation in security and technology. The partnership aims to create a stabilizing force amid global volatility through coordinated naval, and diplomatic efforts [2, 3].
During the second leg of his European tour, Modi met with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen [1, 3]. The leaders announced a new defence dialogue and the commencement of joint naval exercises to strengthen maritime security [2, 3].
Von der Leyen praised the current state of relations as a "dynamic new era" for both entities [1]. She said that cooperation between the EU and India can bring stability to an unstable world [2].
Trade discussions centered on a Free Trade Agreement, which Modi described as a framework for mutual economic growth. He said this FTA is a blueprint for shared prosperity [3].
The agreements in Gothenburg focus on diversifying supply chains and enhancing technological exchange. This collaboration is intended to reduce reliance on single-market dependencies while increasing the interoperability of defence systems [2, 3].
“Cooperation between the EU and India can bring stability to an unstable world.”
The formalization of these trade and defence pacts indicates a pivot toward a more structured security architecture in the Indo-Pacific and Europe. By establishing a permanent defence dialogue and joint naval exercises, the EU and India are moving beyond simple commercial ties to create a strategic hedge against regional instability.
