The European Council has approved a new strategic agenda to enhance India-EU relations, symbolically aligned with the spirit of Diwali. This framework will facilitate negotiations for a joint roadmap leading to the India-EU Summit in New Delhi, focusing on areas such as prosperity, technology, and defense cooperation. A core element of this partnership is the ongoing Free Trade Agreement (FTA), expected to conclude by year-end, aiming to remove trade barriers and promote mutual benefits. The Council emphasized the importance of formalizing a Security and Defence Partnership, enhancing collaboration in an evolving geopolitical landscape, while reaffirming shared democratic values and multilateralism. This initiative signifies a pivotal step in advancing comprehensive cooperation between India and the EU, crucial for regional stability and economic growth.