India and the European Union held the third Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels

India and the European Union held the third Trade and Technology Council meeting in Brussels

¨     India and the European Union (EU) held the third Trade and Technology Council (TTC) meeting in Brussels from 14–16 July 2026.

¨     Both sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductors, clean technologies, high-performance computing (HPC), quantum technologies, and 6G.

¨     The Trade and Technology Council is a bilateral forum for coordination between India and the European Union on trade, technology, and strategic issues.

¨     The third meeting was held in Brussels, the headquarters of the European Commission and the Council of the European Union.

¨     India and the European Union agreed to begin formal negotiations for India's association with Horizon Europe, the European Union's €93.5 billion research and innovation programme.

¨     Both sides set a target to complete the process before the end of 2026.

¨     They reviewed joint research initiatives worth €60 million over four years.

¨     The joint projects include waste-to-hydrogen technology, AI-based marine pollution monitoring, and electric vehicle battery recycling.

¨     The partners decided to establish their first Innovation Hub for electric vehicle charging technologies and testing.

¨     They also planned a new EU–India Startup Partnership for deep-tech clean technologies.

¨     The partnership aims to improve market access and support the commercialisation of startups.

¨     Cooperation in semiconductors will focus on secure and resilient supply chains, advanced manufacturing, and investment in semiconductor and electronics ecosystems.

¨     The collaboration will also explore links between India's Semiconductor Mission design facilities and EU pilot lines under the EU Chips Act.