In an increasingly turbulent international environment, this partnership could contribute to shaping a more balanced, cooperative, and resilient global security architecture. For Europe, which can no longer rely solely on the assumptions of a stable rules-based order led by the United States, deeper partnerships such as that with India may become an essential component of a more realistic and pragmatic foreign policy.

EU and India share a long-standing and steadily deepening partnership in research and scientific cooperation, grounded in values of academic freedom, innovation, and sustainable development. Over the past two decades, this collaboration has evolved from project-based exchanges into a strategic partnership that supports joint knowledge creation, capacity building, and the translation of research into societal and economic impact on both populations. 

Taken together, these realities suggest that the path from signing to enforcement may be far longer and more uncertain than the initial hype implied. While the EU–India FTA promises significant economic opportunities and strategic advantages, the deal’s ultimate success will depend on navigating the complex political dynamics within the European Parliament and responding to broader geopolitical considerations.