The European Union as a Global Power: Indian Perceptions
The European Union as a Global Power: Indian Perceptions

Summary/Abstract: With the end of the Cold War, Europe’s importance in India’s foreign policy calculus increased enormously as the West was deemed vital as a market for foreign direct investment and advanced technology as well as defence equipment and civil nuclear cooperation. However, despite a strategic partnership between them, India and the European Union have not been able to transform their shared values into shared interests because of a big disconnect in their world-views, mindsets and practical agendas. The Indian elite’s perception of Europe has been essentially conditioned by the Anglo-Saxon media, which has tended to reinforce and sustain traditional stereotypical images and clichés. Indian political, business and media elites regard the EU as a global economic giant which does not act as an independent and decisive actor in foreign policy. Furthermore, the recent Eurozone crisis has tended to reinforce images of a declining Europe in India. Also, Indian stakeholders tend to perceive Europe as a conservative force and a staunch defender of the present order. Nevertheless, postmodernist Europe is increasingly perceived as a proactive norms entrepreneur and exporter in India. Cooperative relations between India and Europe will incrementally grow despite their differences over specific issues. There is considerable mutual long-term interest in areas like scientific and technological cooperation, movement of skilled persons, and widening and deepening of civil society dialogue. However, the two sides' disparate priorities and lack of shared interests and priorities will continue to limit their cooperation on many political and security issues.

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