India and the European Union. A precarious relationship

The introduction of the “strategic partnership” between India and the EU in 2004 was an attempt to gradually deepen and institutionalize diplomatic relations and cooperation between the two entities within a number of areas such as multilateralism, security and human rights, enhancement of commercial and economic exchanges, sustainable development, climate change and poverty, and promotion of interactions at the civil society level. A joint action plan was later signed, but the relationship has not yet evolved into a strategic level between two equal partners. Seen from both sides, there are inadequacies and inconsistencies in the way the partnership is being conducted. There are serious complaints especially from India’s perspective about the dialogue itself and a lack of deep and serious commitment to move beyond the obvious and in some cases what is described a patronizing tone from EU delegations. This paper gives an overview of recent developments in the relationship with an emphasis on the period since the beginning of the European sovereign debt crisis and the simultaneous global shift away from geo-economics towards geo-politics. It utilizes a critical international political perspective which gives a coherent understanding of the interaction between what looks like a “normal” trade and investment relationship but what in reality appears as mercantilism mixed up with history, culture and politics. Adding to these difficulties are a number of domestic constraints which complicate the relationship. Copyright Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2015