Strengthening EU-India Economic Ties: Insights from Asienbrücke at the Raisina Dialogue
On behalf of Asienbrücke e.V., it was an honor to host and open a high-level forum bringing together leaders from business, academia, and politics from India and Europe on the sidelines of this year’s Raisina Dialogue in New Delhi. This marks the second edition of our dialogue, and we are grateful to have the Observer Research Foundation (ORF) and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation (KAS) as partners.
India is dynamic, vibrant, and booming. Its economic rise is recognized globally. Germany, on the other hand, is an established economic superpower that currently faces challenges and uncertainties about the future. At Asienbrücke, we recognize the deep economic ties that already exist between India and Europe. However, there is significant untapped potential. Trade relations should reflect the strength of our political and strategic partnership, yet, they currently do not.
Free Trade Agreement
A major issue that remains unresolved is the EU-India Free Trade Agreement (FTA). Years of negotiations have resulted in slow progress and growing frustration on both sides. While elections in India and the EU may bring fresh momentum, relying on hope alone is not a strategy. We need clarity and action:
- What are India’s key demands for an FTA?
- Which EU requirements pose challenges for India?
- Where can we find common ground and compromises?
India and the EU are two of the world’s largest economic players, yet their trade volume remains surprisingly low. India is not in Germany’s Top 20 import or export markets, and while the EU is one of India’s biggest trading partners, India ranks only 10th for the EU.
A Shared Future
We believe India and the EU must come together to ensure a fair and level playing field in global trade. It is time for India and the EU to take meaningful steps toward a mutually beneficial trade partnership. At Asienbrücke, we advocate for two key principles in FTA negotiations:
- Avoid overregulation: The EU already faces excessive regulation, and India has its own bureaucratic hurdles. We must ensure the FTA remains practical and efficient.
- Respect domestic policies: FTAs should be about trade, not politics. Each side must maintain its sovereignty while fostering economic growth.
At Asienbrücke e.V., our mission is to strengthen the dialogue between Europe and Asia and foster deeper economic and political collaboration. Our engagement at the Raisina Dialogue reaffirmed our commitment to this goal.
