Overview
- The European Commission and India announced on Friday, November 6 that they had concluded negotiations for India’s association to Horizon Europe for 2021–2027.
- If both sides sign and complete ratification, the association is expected to take effect in January 2027 and requires India to make a financial contribution to the programme.
- Under the deal Indian researchers, universities and companies would be eligible to apply for grants from Horizon Europe and to coordinate multinational projects under Pillar II on global challenges and industrial competitiveness.
- The agreement links research cooperation to wider EU‑India ties, including the Trade and Technology Council and the pending India‑EU trade deal, which could deepen technology, digital and mobility links between partners.
- The move builds on long‑running science ties between the EU and India dating to 2001 and could expand access for Indian teams to European infrastructure, speed up work on AI, climate and health, and raise opportunities for students and researchers to join large international consortia.