Brussels Bets Big on Bharat, Snubbing Trump’s Trade Threats

Paromita Das

New Delhi, 20th September: Global politics is a dance of shifting alliances, and nowhere is this more evident than in the evolving relationship between Bharat and the European Union. Despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s efforts to pressure Brussels into slapping a 100% tariff on Bharat for its continued import of Russian oil, the EU has charted a very different course. Instead of confrontation, it is choosing closer cooperation. With the announcement of the EU-Bharat Strategic Agenda for Prosperity and Security, Brussels has made it clear: Bharat is too valuable a partner to alienate, and the partnership must be taken to the next level.

Bharat-EU Relations: Beyond Trade to Strategy

Historically, EU-Bharat relations have been linked to commerce, with Europe serving as Bharat’s largest trading partner. But the latest push from Brussels signals a shift from transactional ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership. The new agenda is built on five pillars—Prosperity and Sustainability, Technology and Innovation, Security and Defence, Connectivity and Global Issues, and Enablers Across Pillars.

At its core, the plan acknowledges that Bharat is more than just a growing market; it is a central player in shaping tomorrow’s multipolar world. This recognition comes at a time when global supply chains remain fragile, Russia’s war in Ukraine continues, and the Indo-Pacific is transforming into the theater of great-power competition. By elevating ties with Bharat, the EU aims to diversify partnerships, secure stability, and reinforce its values-driven diplomacy.

Strategic Agenda: From Free Trade to Innovation

The centerpiece of the new plan is the long-awaited Bharat-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), negotiations for which have entered their 14th round and are expected to conclude by year’s end. Brussels has underlined that Europe is “open for business” and willing to invest heavily in Bharat’s economic future.

But the strategy goes far beyond tariffs and investment flows. It envisions partnerships in clean energy, digital innovation, renewable technologies, and infrastructure. A strong emphasis has been placed on sustainability, reflecting both Europe’s climate commitments and Bharat’s growing role in renewable energy deployment. Initiatives like a potential EU-Bharat Startup Partnership and Bharat’s association with the Horizon Europe programme are designed to foster innovation and nurture cutting-edge technology exchanges.

Brussels has also highlighted Bharat’s essential role in building resilient global supply chains, especially in areas such as semiconductors, green hydrogen, and pharmaceuticals—sectors viewed as critical to mitigating future disruptions.

Security Cooperation: From Indo-Pacific to Cyber Defenses

Equally striking is the EU’s decision to deepen security links with New Delhi. While Europe has traditionally been cautious about military cooperation with Bharat, the geopolitical landscape has changed dramatically. Under the new agenda, the EU and Bharat are set to enhance counter-terrorism coordination, maritime security in the Indo-Pacific, cyber-defense, counter-disinformation strategies, and crisis management frameworks.

One notable step will be the launch of negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement, which would allow the exchange of classified intelligence—an unprecedented upgrade in EU-Bharat defense ties. This move also reflects Europe’s broader pivot towards the Indo-Pacific, where it sees Bharat as a key partner in balancing both Chinese assertiveness and regional instability.

The EU has also linked coordination with Bharat to its response to Russia’s war in Ukraine, signaling that New Delhi’s stance as a neutral power makes it an indispensable diplomatic bridge.

Geopolitical Defiance: EU Ignores Trump’s Pressure

Perhaps the most politically symbolic element of this development is not within the Bharat-EU framework itself but in its global implications. It comes against the backdrop of Trump pressuring the EU to punish Bharat with steep tariffs in retaliation for buying Russian oil. Brussels has instead gone in the opposite direction—strengthening its ties with New Delhi, finalizing a free trade deal, and framing Bharat as a critical democratic partner in an era of geopolitical volatility.

This defiance underscores Europe’s growing strategic autonomy. While transatlantic ties remain central, Brussels has shown that it is not ready to let U.S. pressure undermine its own interests. For Europe, Bharat represents not just an economic partner but also a fellow democracy positioned between East and West, capable of balancing power in the Global South. Choosing cooperation with Bharat despite U.S. protests demonstrates how Brussels is carefully recalibrating its place in the world order.

Why Europe Needs Bharat Now More Than Ever

In my view, the EU’s embrace of Bharat is a timely and necessary realignment. Europe is facing multiple challenges—energy insecurity, inflationary pressures, Russian aggression, and the risk of being squeezed between Washington and Beijing. By deepening ties with Bharat, the EU is not only diversifying its partnerships but also sending a powerful signal that it will not be dictated to by external powers, including the United States.

For Bharat, this development is equally pivotal. The EU is already its largest trading partner, but turning that relationship into a strategic partnership gives New Delhi more leverage on the world stage. It allows Bharat to benefit from Western technology, markets, and investment while still maintaining its strategic independence in relations with Russia, China, and the U.S.

Bharat and EU Step into a New Era

The unveiling of the EU-Bharat Strategic Agenda for Prosperity and Security marks more than just another policy announcement—it is the first meaningful attempt to align two of the world’s largest democracies in shaping a turbulent global order. With trade, investment, innovation, and defense all part of the package, it promises to push the partnership far beyond rhetoric.

The strategy also reflects a shifting global reality: U.S. hegemony is no longer the sole guiding force, and nations will act in their own strategic interests. By brushing aside Donald Trump’s tariff threats and instead tightening bonds with Bharat, the EU has signaled both defiance and independence.

If the momentum continues, the Bharat-EU free trade deal, coupled with deeper technological and security ties, could redefine global geopolitics by creating one of the most consequential partnerships of the 21st century.