In recent years, the term "strategic" has become increasingly prominent in the European Union’s diplomatic jargon, from "strategic autonomy" to "strategic partnerships".

It reflects the EU’s evolving ambition  to be a more assertive global actor in the fast-changing global geopolitics. But while it may sound impressive, the term is often used ambiguously raising important questions about its actual substance and impact.

Strategic in EU diplomacy implies a long-term, interests-driven, and value-based approach to policymaking and international engagement.

In short, while "strategic" may serve as a diplomatic charm word, its true value depends on substance, not semantics. For countries like India, being labelled a strategic partner signals a  higher level of trust and opportunity, but also calls for clearer expectations and deliverables from both sides.

Ambivalence on Kashmir

It took nearly two decades after the European Union and India signed their strategic partnership in 2004 for the two sides to launch the  first EU-India Strategic Dialogue in Brussels on Tuesday 10 June.

There were concerns that India’s neutral stance on the Russia-Ukraine conflict and the EU’s cautious and ambivalent approach to the Kashmir issue could undermine their strategic partnership. However, amid evolving and complex global security challenges, pragmatism and mutual interests have ultimately prevailed.

In a press conference after the launch of the Strategic Dialogue, EU Foreign Policy chief Kaja Kallas repeated calls for “continued talks between India and Pakistan to reduce tensions,” adding that “no one stands to gain from renewed conflicts in the region.”

But then, who is India actually expected to talk to? A military junta in Pakistan whose very purpose seems tied to maintaining tensions over Kashmir.

Indian External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar clarified this point in an interview with a Brussels-based publication Euractiv.

“India has the longest-standing grievance – our borders were violated just months after independence, when Pakistan sent in invaders to Kashmir. And the countries that were most supportive of that? Western countries."

'If those same countries – who were evasive or reticent then – now say ‘let’s have a great conversation about international principles’, I think I’m justified in asking them to reflect on their own past," he noted.

European fencesitting

The contradiction in the EU’s position is obvious. If you ask Brussels why they don’t talk to (Russian President) Putin to stop the bloodshed in Ukraine, they’ll give you many reasons for not engaging with an aggressor and a dictator.

In the  interview, Jaishankar explained the country’s stance on the Ukraine war, emphasizing New Delhi’s call for dialogue and diplomacy while maintaining a balanced approach that reflects its strategic interests and longstanding partnerships.

"We don’t believe that differences can be resolved through war – we don’t believe a solution will come from the battlefield,” he stressed, adding "We have a strong relationship with Ukraine as well – it’s not only about Russia. But every country, naturally, considers its own experience, history and interests," he stated.

Expressing similar sentiments , former Union Minister M J Akbar criticised the stance of Europe saying on social media X platform “Instead of standing with us, why are so many Europeans sitting on the fence?.

  “We need to remind our friends in Europe that when it comes to a critical challenge that we face at the moment, we cannot find them wanting. The age of two laws is over.”

Pivot to Asia

With the protectionist policies implemented by US President Donald Trump’s and the resulting shift in trans-Atlantic relations, the EU’s economic strategy is increasingly pivoting toward new and diverse trade partners.

The EU–India partnership has long been seen as lukewarm and half-hearted, a perception that may have prompted European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to lead her College of Commissioners on a landmark visit to New Delhi in February 2025 to inject new energy into the relationship and signal Europe's renewed strategic interest in India.

The EU-India strategic partnership, while aiming for deeper cooperation, has faced challenges in achieving significant progress, particularly in trade and investment, and is far from reaching its full potential.

 Both sides have divergent views on issues like the EU's carbon border adjustment mechanism and India's stance on Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While they cooperate in various areas, including security, climate, and research, some analysts suggest a formal EU institutional framework is needed for stronger military collaboration, said the European Parliament in a report.

Need for new roadmap

The EU and India are aiming to conclude a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) by the end of 2025, but significant differences remain across key sectors that could delay the deal.

 According to a Brussels-based analyst, Sunil Prasad , the EU may feel frustrated by the slow process of reforms that India takes to decide on some policy issues, but it needs to understand that it is dealing with a continent which is not autocratic but a democratic nation and any major policy reform that will affect the lives of 1.4 billion people will have to go through a political process; how rigorous and time consuming it may be

Meanwhile, the EU-India Roadmap 2025 is coming to an end, and the next EU-India summit could be the right moment to release a fresh blueprint for cooperation.

As the global landscape continues to evolve, the EU and India recognize that a stronger, forward-looking partnership will be essential in addressing global challenges and ensuring sustainable growth and stability. The strategic  dialogue marks an important step forward in realizing a comprehensive, resilient, and strategic EU–India partnership for the 21st century.

(The author is an Indian journalist who is a long time resident in Brussels. Views expressed are personal. He can be reached nawabk98@gmail.com and social media platform X  @nawabkhan10)