European Union Ambassador presents Letters of Credence to the President of India
New Delhi, 25 September 2026: Today H.E. Jean-Eric Paquet, Ambassador of the European Union (EU) to India, presented his Letters of Credence to the Honourable President of India, Shrimati Droupadi Murmu, at an official ceremony held at Rashtrapati Bhavan.
Describing the EU-India Strategic Partnership as "one of the most defining relationships of the 21st century", Ambassador Paquet emphasized its role in shaping global economic, technological, and geopolitical dynamics. "With unprecedented momentum across trade, defence and security, research and innovation, it is an honour to represent the European Union in India at such a transformative juncture. Our shared agenda is not merely aspirational, it is a tangible commitment to future generations, one that will drive job creation, innovation, prosperity and resilience for citizens on both sides," he said on the occasion.
The Ambassador’s tenure begins as EU-India relations enter a decisive phase, with significant advancements in multiple areas. The EU India Free Trade Agreement has gained critical momentum, following the European Commission’s putting forward its proposal to the Council of the European Union on 11 September, seeking authorization for its signature and conclusion. "This landmark agreement, often called the ‘mother of all deals,’ will be the largest trade pact ever for both sides, covering nearly 2 billion people and a quarter of global GDP," Ambassador Paquet noted. "Once finalised, it will unlock unprecedented opportunities for trade, investment, and economic growth." Parallel negotiations are also underway for the Investment Protection and Geographical Indication Agreements.
Security and defence cooperation has emerged as a pivotal pillar of the relationship, reinforced by the signing of the EU–India Security and Defence Partnership at the 16th EU India Summit held on 27th January 2026. Both sides are deepening cooperation on shared priorities such as maritime security, space, cyber and hybrid threats, as well as counterterrorism. Emphasizing the strategic convergence between both sides, Ambassador Paquet said, “Our cooperation extends beyond bilateral ties- it has global significance, particularly in ensuring stability across the broader Indo-Pacific region. The EU–India Security and Defence Partnership agreement will further strengthen defence industrial cooperation and advance alignment on defence initiatives."
Through the EU-India Joint Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, EU India Trade and Technology Council, EU-India Connectivity Partnership and its flagship Global Gateway programme, the EU is partnering with India to drive sustainable development, diversify supply chains, and enhance access to goods, services and investments for citizens and businesses.
Looking ahead, Ambassador Paquet emphasised the transformative potential of the partnership: "The EU and India are not just partners, we are architects of a shared future. Together, we will translate ambition into action, delivering prosperity, security, and sustainability for our people and the world at large."
About the ambassador: With over three decades of public service within the European Union’s institutions, Ambassador Jean-Eric Paquet is a seasoned diplomat and policy architect. Most recently, he served as Ambassador of the European Union to Japan (2022–2026). Previously he held key roles such as Director for the Western Balkans in the European Commission (2013–2015) and Ambassador of the European Union to the Islamic Republic of Mauritania (2004–2007), gaining significant international experience.
During his tenure at the European Commission, he played a pivotal role in shaping EU policy across multiple domains. As Director-General for Research and Innovation (R&I; 2018-2022), he set up the European Innovation Council and promoted a whole-of-government approach for R&I, including the creation of several EU Missions to address pressing ecological, societal, and economic challenges. As Deputy Secretary-General of the European Commission (2015-2018), he oversaw Better Regulation and Policy Coordination, covering all policy areas related to the EU Green Deal.
Ambassador Paquet also spearheaded the development of the Trans-European Transport Network Policy and was responsible for Europe’s transport infrastructure policy and investment strategies, the single European rail area, inland waterways and port policy.
A strong advocate for participatory governance, he puts co-creation and systemic change at the heart of the decision-making process, firmly believing in greater citizen involvement in shaping public policy agendas.
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About EU-India: The European Union and the Republic of India benefit from a longstanding relationship going back to the early 1960s. The Joint Political Statement of 1993 and the 1994 Co-operation Agreement, which is the current legislative framework for cooperation, opened the door to a broad political dialogue, which has evolved through annual Summits, regular ministerial and senior-officials meetings as well as expert gatherings. In 2004, India and the European Union signed a strategic partnership, based on the shared values and principles of democracy, the rule of law, human rights and the promotion of peace and stability. Since then, the EU and India have been cooperating closely, reinforcing political, economic and people-to-people ties.
This cooperation was further broadened at the 16th EU India Summit in January 2026. Beyond trade and defence, the EU-India partnership has expanded into cutting-edge domains, reflecting a shared vision for the future. At the EU India summit in January’26, both sides launched EU-India Innovation Hubs and a Startup Partnership while accelerating collaboration in emerging technologies, AI, quantum computing, and semiconductors. Negotiations are ongoing on India’s association with Horizon Europe, the EU’s flagship research and innovation programme, which would unlock new avenues for scientific cooperation. Meanwhile, the clean energy transition remains a cornerstone of the partnership, with initiatives such as the Green Hydrogen Task Force and Global Gateway Green Shipping Corridors set to enhance sustainable connectivity between Europe and the Indo-Pacific. These efforts align with the EU-India Clean Energy and Climate Partnership, which seeks to advance energy resilience, circular economy practices, and decarbonisation.