Cutting the Gordian knot? – Assessing the outcomes of the March EU-India Summit

After a four-year suspension, the 13th EU-India Summit took place in Brussels on 30 March 2016. While several deep-rooted constraints could not be overcome, the Summit’s deliverables reflect a gradually changing and cautiously optimistic mood in the historically challenging interaction between Brussels and Delhi.

On paper, the world’s two largest democratic entities have been strategic partners since 2004. Two Joint Action Plans, in 2005 and 2008, defined goals for cooperation on the basis of common values and principles. However, reality has fallen short of ambitions and the strategic partnership has remained shallow due to political deadlock and diplomatic rows.

ESO: Background information: EU-India Summit, 30 March 2016 http://www.europeansources.info/record/eu-india-summit-30-march-2016/

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