The Evolution of Research Collaboration Between the EU and India

The European Union (EU) has established bilateral agreements with 20 countries globally, driven by shared interests and objectives, with the aim of enhancing collaboration in research and innovation. Notably, a significant partnership exists with India, where research and innovation cooperation is governed by the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation initiated in 2001. This accord has been renewed for its third term on 17 May 2020, prolonging the collaboration for an additional 5 years.

The operational aspects of this agreement are managed by a Joint Steering Committee, jointly chaired by the Director General of DG Research and Innovation of the European Commission and the Secretary of the Department of Science and Technology within the Government of India.

Aligned with the EU Strategy on international research and innovation collaboration known as "Europe’s Global Approach," the EU is receptive to expanding its cooperation with India, a nation that shares similar principles and upholds fundamental values such as academic freedom, gender equality, research integrity and ethics, open science, and the rule of law.