The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) held its second meeting in New Delhi on February 28. The Indian delegation included External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, while the EU was represented by Technology Commissioner Henna Virkkunen, Trade Commissioner Maros Sefcovic, and Innovation Commissioner Ekaterina Zaharieva.
About the India-EU TTC
Launched in April 2022 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, the TTC is a key platform to strengthen trade and technology ties. It includes three Working Groups focusing on:
- Strategic Technologies, Digital Governance, and Digital Connectivity
- Green and Clean Energy Technologies
- Trade, Investment, and Resilient Value Chains
The TTC is India’s first such forum and the EU’s second, after a similar initiative with the US in 2021.
Strategic Importance of TTC
With growing geopolitical challenges, India and the EU seek deeper cooperation in trade, technology, and security. The TTC helps address global challenges while promoting a human-centric digital transformation and democratic digital governance.
The council aims to:
- Enhance bilateral trade, which is at historic highs.
- Strengthen security and economic cooperation in a rapidly evolving global landscape.
- Coordinate policies on trade, trusted technology, and innovation through a structured approach.
- Align efforts in multilateral bodies to promote democratic principles in digital governance.
The TTC Ministerial Meetings are held annually, alternating between India and the EU, ensuring continued collaboration and policy implementation.
