EU Strengthens Ties with India Despite Its Military Links to Russia

In mid-September 2025, the European Union announced a strategy to deepen cooperation with India across trade, defense, technology, and sustainable energy sectors. This initiative comes amid challenges as India maintains strong relations with Russia, including participation in the Zapad 2025 joint military exercises with Russia and Belarus. While the EU seeks to finalize a free trade agreement by the end of 2025 and establish a Security and Defence Partnership with India, it faces complexities in fully detaching India from Moscow due to enduring historical and geopolitical ties. The evolving EU-India partnership reflects Europe’s effort to diversify alliances amid ongoing Russia Ukraine war tensions.

Background & Context

India and the European Union share a long-standing but complex relationship shaped by geopolitical interests, economic ties, and global security concerns. India’s multi-vector foreign policy has involved close engagement with major powers including Russia and China, complicating diplomatic dynamics amid the Russia Ukraine war. Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine and its sustained military and economic connections with India challenge efforts by the EU to intensify cooperation, especially given Western sanctions targeting Moscow.

The EU’s strategy to deepen partnerships with India is driven by a desire to diversify alliances in the Indo-Pacific region and counterbalance growing Russian and Chinese influence. Prior diplomatic efforts have included trade negotiations, technology collaborations, and enhanced defense dialogue. However, India’s pragmatic approach, exemplified by its participation in Russia’s ‘Zapad 2025’ military exercises, underscores the delicate balance it maintains in global politics. European political circles cautiously welcome stronger EU-India ties, recognizing potential economic and security benefits amid ongoing challenges linked to Russia’s geopolitical role.

Key Developments & Timeline

Between 2023 and early 2026, the European Union and India have advanced strategic cooperation efforts amid complex geopolitical conditions shaped by the ongoing Russia Ukraine war and shifting global alliances.

2023–2024: The EU and India engaged in extended trade negotiations reflecting broader geopolitical shifts, emphasizing economic and strategic interests.
September 2025: The EU unveiled a comprehensive strategy to deepen cooperation with India, focusing on critical areas such as sustainable energy, artificial intelligence, microchips, cybersecurity, defense, and migration policies. This move underscores Brussels’ intent to strengthen partnerships beyond traditional frameworks.
September 2025: India participated in the Russia-Belarus Zapad 2025 military drills, maintaining strong ties with Russia despite increasing Western pressure. The EU acknowledges the challenges presented by India’s historic and strategic relationship with Moscow.
Late 2025: Discussions aimed at concluding a landmark EU-India free trade agreement are underway, signaling a significant step toward deepened economic integration between Asia and Europe.
Early 2026: A planned EU-India summit is expected to reinforce the strategic partnership further, potentially establishing a formal Security and Defence Partnership, thereby highlighting evolving cooperation within the context of the wider Russia geopolitical conflict.

Despite India’s continued connection with Russia, reflected in joint military exercises and energy cooperation, the EU’s multifaceted approach seeks to counterbalance Russian influence by attracting Russian professionals and weakening Russia’s war economy through economic and strategic incentives. These efforts illuminate the complexities of Russia NATO tensions and the global ripple effects of the Ukraine conflict, particularly in shaping Indo-European relations and regional security dynamics.

Official Statements & Analysis

In mid-September 2025, the European Union announced a strategic initiative to deepen cooperation with India across multiple sectors, including defense, technology, and sustainable energy, reflecting the growing importance of EU-India relations amid shifting global geopolitical landscapes. Recognizing India as a strategic partner, EU officials underscored the necessity to build a strong Security and Defence Partnership despite India’s sustained ties with Russia, exemplified by its participation in the Zapad 2025 joint military exercises with Russia and Belarus. This multi-alignment approach enables India to maintain a moderate voice in international affairs, balancing relations with Moscow while engaging with Western powers.

The EU’s strategy also signals its intent to diversify economic and technological partnerships as it navigates the complexities of the Russia Ukraine war and wider Russia NATO tensions. However, challenges remain as India’s historic and economic dependence on Russia complicates efforts to fully decouple Russian influence, particularly in areas such as military technology transfers. Ongoing negotiations for an EU-India free trade agreement further illustrate Brussels’ commitment to strengthening ties while addressing issues like climate change and labor standards. This evolving partnership is critical for European strategic autonomy and reflects broader efforts to recalibrate alliances within the Indo-Pacific and European theaters amidst intensified geopolitical competition.

Conclusion

Amid the ongoing Russia Ukraine war, the European Union’s strategic move to strengthen ties with India reflects a broader effort to diversify alliances and reduce dependencies on Russia’s economic partners. While India’s continued military cooperation with Russia complicates this dynamic, the EU’s focus on expanding trade, technology, and defense collaboration with India highlights shifting geopolitical contours. As negotiations progress and global tensions persist, balancing economic interests with security priorities will be critical in navigating this complex relationship. This evolving partnership underscores the intricate interplay between global power realignments and the protracted Russia conflict’s wider impacts.

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