On the draft Council decision on the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India

(08080/2025 – C100095/2025 – 2025/0066(NLE))

(Consent)

The European Parliament,

–having regard to the draft Council decision (08080/2025),

–having regard to Council Decision 2002/648/EC of 25 June 2002 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India,

–having regard to the request for consent submitted by the Council in accordance with Article 186 and Article 218(6), second subparagraph, point (a)(v) of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union (C10-0095/2025),

–having regard to Rule 107(1) and (4), and Rule 117(7) of its Rules of Procedure,

–having regard to the recommendation of the Committee on Industry, Research and Energy (A100000/2025),

1.Gives its consent to the renewal of the agreement;

2.Instructs its President to forward its position to the Council, the Commission and the governments and parliaments of the Member States and of the Republic of India.

Renewing the EU-India Science and Technology Agreement makes strong strategic sense. It enables continued collaboration in key areas like clean energy, health, AI, and sustainable development, with proven mutual benefits. The current cooperation has already led to major joint projects, strong researcher exchanges, and improves market access for EU companies. The Agreement supports EU interests, strengthens ties under the Trade and Technology Council, and boosts Europe's global competitiveness through joint funding, shared research, and market access to India.

The substance of the renewed Agreement will be identical to that of the current Agreement. It will not create new rights and obligations for the EU, but instead it will extend in time the existing framework between the Parties under the Agreement.

For the reasons stated above, the Rapporteur believes that it is in the Union’s interest to renew the ‘Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India’ for a new period of five years.

The rapporteur declares under his exclusive responsibility that he did not receive input from any entity or person to be mentioned in this Annex pursuant to Article 8 of Annex I to the Rules of Procedure.