EU and India expand trilateral development cooperation in third countries
The European Union and India agreed in June 2025 to enhance trilateral cooperation in third countries under their Strategic Partnership Roadmap and the Global Gateway Strategy. The framework positions Indian institutions and companies as co-developers of climate-aligned, SDG-centred infrastructure projects across emerging economies.
The EU and India agreed to enhance trilateral cooperation in third countries under a renewed commitment announced in June 2025, building on the EU-India Strategic Partnership Roadmap (2020-2025) and aligning with the Global Gateway Strategy, which aims to mobilise up to €300 billion in sustainable investment by 2027. The agreement followed a high-level meeting between European Commissioner Jozef Síkela and India's Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, who reaffirmed intentions to co-develop projects reflecting shared values under the SDGs.
Indian institutions, companies, and development agencies are directly affected, becoming co-developers combining technical expertise, financial instruments, and regional networks with EU counterparts to support needs-driven projects in third countries. Focus areas include digitalisation for sustainable development, clean energy and green mobility, digital financial inclusion, and water, health, and sanitation infrastructure. Education, women's empowerment, social protection, and sustainable agriculture are earmarked for collaborative innovation, alongside creation of innovative, market-based financing mechanisms meeting ESG standards.
Indian stakeholders should monitor how the trilateral framework leverages outcomes from the 2023 EU-India Trade and Technology Council to scale digital public infrastructure and innovation in emerging economies. The cooperation will be guided by the EU-India Connectivity Partnership and the EU Strategy for Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific, which provide the structural basis for joint investments and policy alignment. Affected entities should track development of market-based financing mechanisms ensuring projects are economically viable and locally responsive.
Key figure — Global Gateway target: up to €300 billion in sustainable investment by 2027
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