Archive · 25 Sep 2026
New EU Ambassador to India Highlights Trade and Partnership
Jean-Eric Paquet is the European Union’s new ambassador to India.
He officially began the job after meeting President Droupadi Murmu.
He said India and Europe are entering an important period of closer cooperation.
They want to work together on trade, technology, defence and security.
Paquet hopes people in India will use new opportunities from a free trade agreement.
He also wants mobility programs to become better known.
He plans to travel across India during his three-year term.
The European Union is already one of India’s biggest trading partners.
Jean-Eric Paquet formally assumed office as the European Union’s ambassador to India.
Paquet presented his credentials to President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan on September 25.
He identified trade, defence, security, research and innovation as priorities for India-EU cooperation.
Paquet said he would promote opportunities linked to the India-EU free trade agreement and mobility platforms.
The EU and India concluded negotiations for a free trade agreement on January 27, amid growing economic and geopolitical challenges.
- Who
- Jean-Eric Paquet, the European Union’s ambassador to India, and President Droupadi Murmu.
- What
- Paquet presented his credentials and outlined priorities for strengthening India-EU relations.
- When
- September 25; the EU and India concluded free trade agreement negotiations on January 27.
- Where
- Rashtrapati Bhavan in New Delhi, India.
- Why
- To begin Paquet’s ambassadorial tenure and advance cooperation in trade, defence, security, technology and other shared areas.
- Ambassador
- Jean-Eric Paquet
- Host country
- India
- Credentials presented to
- President Droupadi Murmu
- Term mentioned
- Three years
- Trade agreement
- EU-India free trade agreement negotiations concluded on January 27
- EU-India goods trade
- €118 billion in 2025
- EU trade ranking
- The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner