India and the EU’s Approach to Development Cooperation: Talking the Talk or Walking the Walk?

The changing global order, marked by the rise of populist and inward-looking governments, economic and social instability and unrest around the world, has necessitated enhanced cooperation between states in the strengthening of their democratic frameworks. The European Union (EU) and India, with their strong emphasis on democratic values, have worked together to reduce poverty, prevent disasters, expand trade and enhance security worldwide. Aspiring to play a more significant global role, they have worked closely to promote joint research in health, agriculture, energy and many other fields of mutual interest. The relationship between the EU and India has evolved in recent years from that of donor and recipient to a partnership with opportunities for mutual benefit. The EU’s interest in enhancing the strategic partnership with India has been reinforced through its international cooperation within the 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda context. Both sides have agreed to move forward with joint initiatives, especially in the areas of sustainable development, connectivity, resilient infrastructure in third countries and triangular cooperation in Africa. However, there is a dearth of literature which theoretically and empirically examines either the EU’s or India’s approach to development cooperation. Most of the studies are factual and typically ignore the guiding principles of development cooperation, a field which has considerable potential for boosting the strategic partnership and providing fertile ground for an enhanced and innovative institutional framework for cooperation between India and the EU. This chapter primarily aims at identifying various convergences and divergences between the strategies and the guiding principles of development cooperation in the two largest democracies of the world.