The EU recognizes India’s growing role in Ukraine peace talks and strategic global partnerships. From Modi’s diplomatic balancing with Russia and Ukraine to progress on the EU-India free trade agreement and plans for a 2026 strategic agenda, this article explores how Europe views India as both a mediator in the Russia-Ukraine war and a vital economic partner amid U.S. trade tensions.
EU Leader’s Statement Highlights India’s Growing Role in Ukraine Peace
The evolving dynamics of EU-India relations are taking center stage in the global geopolitical landscape, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine war, global security challenges, and the pursuit of deeper economic cooperation. A recent statement by an EU leader underscores India’s pivotal role not only as a potential mediator in the Ukraine conflict but also as a strategic partner for Europe in trade, technology, and security.
The remarks come at a time when both sides are grappling with shifting global alliances, U.S. trade tensions, and the long shadow of the war in Ukraine. The EU’s recognition of India’s diplomatic weight reflects a pragmatic recalibration of Europe’s external partnerships, balancing principles with realpolitik.
India’s role in Ukraine peace efforts has been one of active neutrality since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. While abstaining from UN resolutions that directly condemn Moscow, India has consistently called for dialogue and diplomacy as the only way forward. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has engaged regularly with both Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin. Notably, during a visit to China in 2025, Modi urged Putin to agree to a “speedy peace agreement,” a message that resonated strongly with European leaders, including German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul.
India’s unique position stems from its deep historical ties with Russia. Moscow remains New Delhi’s largest supplier of crude oil, accounting for nearly 39 percent of India’s imports in 2023, and continues to be a critical source of defense equipment. This dependence, often seen in the West as problematic, is now being framed by the EU as a strategic advantage. With leverage over Moscow, India is viewed as one of the few countries capable of influencing Russian decision-making. For the EU, which has suffered from energy price volatility and supply chain disruptions due to the war, India’s ability to engage both sides is increasingly valuable.
Recent diplomacy underscores this balancing act. Modi’s discussions with Zelenskyy, Putin, and European leaders such as French President Emmanuel Macron reveal India’s determination to position itself as a global peacemaker. Macron, for instance, has closely coordinated with Modi, highlighting the need for a just and lasting peace with solid security guarantees for Ukraine.
Alongside the war, the EU leader’s mention of a joint European Union-India strategic agenda to be unveiled at the 2026 summit signals a broadening of bilateral relations. Since the launch of the EU-India Trade and Technology Council in 2022, cooperation has extended well beyond commerce. The next phase is expected to focus heavily on defense and security, technology collaboration, and Indo-Pacific stability. Europe has shown interest in inviting India into frameworks such as PESCO, while joint efforts in artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and green technology are on the rise. Shared concerns about China’s assertiveness have added urgency to this agenda, ensuring that both sides find common ground in promoting a rules-based international order.
The economic dimension of this partnership is equally critical. Negotiations for a long-delayed EU-India free trade agreement (FTA) have gathered momentum, with leaders setting a year-end 2025 deadline for conclusion. If achieved, this agreement would create one of the world’s largest free trade areas, covering over 700 million people. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and Prime Minister Modi have pressed negotiators to bridge differences. Germany, in particular, has been vocal in its support for sealing the deal.
However, challenges remain. India is seeking better access for its professionals in European markets and protection for its farmers from subsidized EU agricultural imports. At the same time, it has expressed strong reservations about EU environmental regulations such as the carbon border tax, which affects Indian steel, aluminum, and cement. For its part, the European Union continues to emphasize labor standards and sustainability, issues New Delhi often views as hidden trade barriers. Experts suggest that a compact agreement focusing on essential trade elements may be the most viable path forward.
The geopolitical context adds further urgency to these negotiations. With the United States imposing tariffs of up to 50 percent on Indian goods due to its oil trade with Russia, India is increasingly looking to diversify its economic partners. The Europes, despite occasional frictions such as its sanctions on Indian refiners of Russian crude, appears as a more stable and long-term trade ally. A 2008 trade impact study had already projected real income gains of up to €4.4 billion for both sides, and the benefits could be even larger in today’s fragmented global economy.
Underlying these developments is the broader challenge of managing relations with Russia. By early 2025, India’s trade with Moscow had surged to nearly $69 billion, driven by discounted oil and defense cooperation. Critics in Europe and the U.S. argue that this undermines sanctions, but India counters that its diversified imports from 40 nations prove a pragmatic energy security strategy. Meanwhile, its ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Eurasian Economic Union, which includes Russia, have raised EU concerns about sanction circumvention.
These tensions are further complicated by differences between the U.S. and Europe. President Donald Trump has pressed for a swift peace settlement involving Ukrainian territorial concessions, a position that clashes with both Kyiv’s and Brussels’ views. His tariff threats and accusations of economic “crushing” against India for trading with Russia have only accelerated New Delhi’s pivot toward Europe.
India’s response has been to highlight Western double standards, pointing out that the EU itself continued trading with Russia, recording €67.5 billion in trade in 2024. This argument resonates not just domestically but also across the Global South, where India seeks to position itself as a voice of balance and pragmatism.
The European union leader’s statement thus reflects more than diplomatic courtesies. It marks a recognition of India’s growing importance in shaping the outcomes of the Ukraine conflict, its role as a reliable partner in a multipolar world, and its potential to anchor Europe’s economic and security strategies in Asia. As the world faces intensified geopolitical competition, the EU-India partnership is emerging not only as a response to immediate crises but also as a long-term strategic alignment that could reshape global order.