EU and India launch talks on Horizon Europe association

On 6 February 2026, the European Commission and India opened exploratory talks on India’s possible association to Horizon Europe. The initiative follows last month’s 16th EU-India Summit in New Delhi, where both sides reiterated their commitment to deepening cooperation on trade, security, science, innovation, and mobility.

Association would allow Indian researchers, universities, and companies to participate in Horizon Europe on nearly equal terms with EU counterparts. They would be able to coordinate projects and receive direct EU funding, while India would make a financial contribution to the programme. The goal is to create structured, long-term collaboration on shared scientific and technological priorities.

EU‑India research ties are underpinned by the Agreement for Scientific and Technological Cooperation, first signed in 2001 and extended at last month’s summit until 2030. This extension signals a sustained commitment to joint scientific advancement.

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