From strategic autonomy to strategic partnership: EU–India relations in health diplomacy

Abstract

The study examines the potential of the European Union (EU)–India cooperation in health diplomacy and the exchange of lessons learned by both actors. Particularly, the growing discourse on achieving strategic autonomy in health has not been adequately analysed in the existing literature, which is surprising given that both actors share this interest. This paper begins by contextualising the discourse of strategic autonomy in the European and Indian political discourse with a specific focus on achieving autonomy in health and subsequently argues for a transition from strategic autonomy to a strategic partnership by recognising the strategic interdependencies. A qualitative content analysis was used to analyse all 16 EU–India summits to locate health diplomacy in their relations and present recommendations for future cooperation. The shift from strategic autonomy to strategic partnership also necessitates a strategic vision towards shaping the EU–India cooperation. With the upcoming EU–India Summit in 2025, research and development, strengthening supply chains, harmonisation of regulations, and financing of healthcare are key areas that can be deliberated on to enhance the cooperation between the two global actors in healthcare.