EC/India Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation: renewal of the Agreement

PURPOSE: renewal of the Agreement on scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India.

PROPOSED ACT: Decision of the Council.

ROLE OF THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT: Council may adopt the act only if Parliament has given its consent to the act. 

BACKGROUND: the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India was signed in New Delhi on 23 November 2001 and entered into force on 14 October 2002. The Agreement has already been renewed three times, in 2009, 2015 and 2020, for a further period of five years each time. The current Agreement is due to expire on 17 May 2025.

The Commission's evaluation demonstrates that the Agreement continues to provide an important framework for facilitating cooperation between the Union and the Republic of India in common priority scientific and technological areas of mutual benefit. It is therefore in the Union's interest to renew the Agreement for a further period of five years. Both Parties have confirmed their intention to renew the Agreement for a further period of five years without amendment.

CONTENT: the Council's draft aims to approve, on behalf of the Union, the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India for a further period of five years.

This Decision will enable both sides to improve intensify their cooperation in scientific and technological areas of common interest in line with the EU Strategy on India and the EU-India Strategic Partnership Roadmap.

It will allow a further exchange of specific knowledge and a transfer of know-how to the benefit of the scientific communities, industry and citizens. A useful forum will continue to be offered to assess past cooperation and determine future actions, to address global challenges and to promote reciprocal access to programmes and funding.

The substance of the renewed Agreement will be identical to that of the current Agreement, as discussed and agreed with the Indian counterparts. It will not create new rights and obligations for the EU. The renewal of the agreement has retroactive effect as of 17 May 2025.