<h1>EU and India launch strategic agenda to deepen defence, trade, tech, connectivity ties and aim to finalise FTA by year-end</h1> The EU unveiled a new strategic agenda to deepen cooperation with India across defence, trade, technology, connectivity and global issues, and pledged to finalise a bilateral free trade agreement by year-end; the agenda must be ratified by all 27 EU members and adopted at the upcoming summit. The document signals planned negotiations on a security-of-information agreement to enable classified exchanges, expanded defence cooperation (maritime, cyber, counterterrorism), and intensified coordination on regional connectivity initiatives and sanctions policy. EU officials warned India's participation in Russian military exercises and continued purchases of Russian oil complicate closer ties and will be addressed in negotiations.