The European Union has called for closer ties with India while acknowledging significant disagreements over Russia's war on Ukraine. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas and trade commissioner Maroš Šefčovič outlined a new EU-India strategy on Wednesday as part of efforts to strengthen alliances amid global uncertainty.
Kallas expressed concern over India's participation in Russia's Zapad military exercises in Belarus, which simulated a conflict with NATO countries. 'This is a great concern for our countries,' said Kallas, who is from Estonia. 'If you want closer ties with us then why participate in exercises that are an existential threat to us?' She noted that the EU and India have 'no mutual understanding' on the issue.
The EU also objects to India's purchases of discounted Russian oil, which helps fund the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Washington has demanded that Brussels impose up to 100% tariffs on India and China to pressure Russia, but EU officials have privately balked at the idea. Šefčovič declined to comment directly on the tariff proposal, saying the bloc coordinates closely with the US and G7 partners on sanctions enforcement.
On trade, Šefčovič said negotiations with India have grown by 90% over the past decade, making the EU India's largest trading partner. However, he expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in recent talks, insisting that any agreement must be 'commercially meaningful, fair and balanced.'
Separately, the Kremlin announced that President Vladimir Putin spoke with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi about a planned visit to India in December. Polish energy minister Miłosz Motyka also called on the EU to end Russian oil imports by 2026 to 'cease financing Russia's war machine.'
