ABSTRACT
The third chapter covers a critical period in India's policy towards the EU (2000–2014), during which the two sides engaged in regular, high-level political dialogue and established a strategic partnership in 2004. The chapter is divided into three sections, each analysing one of the three dimensions of India's policy towards the EU: political, economic, and security. The first section discusses how political dialogue was institutionalized through a variety of mechanisms and formats, ranging from annual summits to sectoral consultations, thereby demonstrating the expanding scope of India's partnership with Europe. The second section examines the progress made in realizing India's economic interests, as well as in technical and socio-cultural cooperation. Particular attention is paid to the context, progress, and suspension of the FTA negotiations, and their impact on the ups and downs of the overall partnership. Finally, the chapter looks at emerging areas of security cooperation, such as maritime security and counter-terrorism. The chapter evaluates this critical period, explaining why India has lost interest in closer cooperation.
