India and EU Forge New Path with Horizon Europe Partnership
Strengthening Ties Through Research and Innovation
New Delhi: India has successfully finalized its association with the European Union's Horizon Europe program, valued at €93.5 billion, enhancing their collaborative efforts in research and innovation.
This agreement comes just ahead of a significant free trade agreement between India and the EU, which is anticipated to create a market encompassing two billion individuals.
The European Commission confirmed the successful negotiations regarding India's participation in the Horizon Europe initiative.
This development is a pivotal moment for EU-India relations, fostering scientific collaboration and opening new avenues for research while reinforcing their strategic partnership.
India's involvement in the Horizon program aligns with the comprehensive strategic agenda set for the next five years.
For researchers and businesses in Europe, this partnership will facilitate collaboration with Indian entities, establishing enduring scientific and technological connections.
Upon the agreement's ratification and completion of necessary formalities, Indian researchers and organizations will gain direct access to funding from Horizon Europe and will be able to spearhead collaborative projects under its Pillar II, which focuses on 'Global Challenges and European Industrial Competitiveness.'
This pillar is the largest segment of the program, financing collaborative, multinational research and innovation projects that address societal and technological challenges, including health, digital advancements, industry, space, climate change, energy, and bioeconomy.
The EU emphasized that this partnership will generate new opportunities for both European and Indian collaborators to share expertise, develop technologies, and tackle common challenges.
The association represents the highest level of cooperation the EU offers to non-member countries under Horizon Europe.
It enables organizations from associated nations to engage on equal footing with their EU counterparts in the program's relevant areas, with associated countries contributing financially.
The successful conclusion of these negotiations sets the stage for signing the association agreement, pending the completion of necessary procedures on both sides, with a formal signing expected in January.
Exploratory discussions regarding the Horizon program began in February 2026, followed by formal negotiations in July.
The scientific cooperation between the EU and India builds on a 2001 agreement for scientific and technological collaboration, which has been extended until 2030.
Research and innovation are integral to the Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030, established during summit talks in New Delhi on January 27.
The partnership has been further enhanced through the EU-India Trade and Technology Council, which promotes collaboration in key digital sectors such as artificial intelligence, digital public infrastructure, semiconductors, high-performance computing, digital skills, and the sixth generation of wireless telecommunications.
In February, the EU and India took another step forward in digital skills collaboration by launching the first-ever European Legal Gateway Office in India, aimed at facilitating safe and informed mobility to the EU within the ICT sector.
Horizon Europe operates from 2021 to 2027, with a budget of €93.5 billion.
International collaboration is a cornerstone of the program, uniting expertise and resources to foster scientific excellence and innovation.
Currently, 23 non-EU countries are associated with Horizon Europe, including Albania, Armenia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Egypt, the Faroe Islands, Georgia, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Korea, Kosovo, Moldova, Montenegro, New Zealand, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Türkiye, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the United Kingdom.
The relationship between India and the EU has seen significant growth in recent years.
Both parties are poised to finalize the free trade agreement next month.