The EU –India Partnership in the Indo‐Pacific: Scope and Prospects

Abstract

This article examines Indian perceptions of the EU's Indo‐Pacific Strategy through interviews with government officials and foreign policy influencers. Despite viewing the EU positively as an important economic and normative partner, many Indian respondents were critical regarding how the EU's approach aligns with India's strategic priorities. Three key findings emerge: First, respondents highlighted a persistent tension between the EU's normative aspirations and the pragmatic developmental needs of Indo‐Pacific nations; second, the EU's predominantly economic focus was seen as insufficiently addressing defence and security dimensions critical to regional stability; and third, the EU's cautious balancing between China and other regional actors creates perceptions of strategic ambiguity. These findings yield three policy recommendations: Scale up maritime dialogue and interoperability, strengthen economic initiatives that leverage India's expanding network of partnerships, and deepen the social foundations underpinning the partnership beyond elite‐level engagement.