Annexes to COM(2025)128 - Renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the EC and the Government of India - Main contents
Please note
This page contains a limited version of this dossier in the EU Monitor.
| dossier | COM(2025)128 - Renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the EC and the Government of India. |
|---|---|
| document | COM(2025)128 |
| date | March 26, 2025 |
1.2. Policy area(s) concerned
Policy strategy and coordination of, in particular, the Directorates-General RTD, AGRI, CLIMA, JRC, EAC, ENER, GROW, CNECT, MARE, MOVE and TRADE
1.3. Objective(s)
1.3.1. General objective(s)
The present initiative will allow both Parties to improve and intensify their cooperation in scientific and technological areas of common interest in line with the EU Strategy on India and the EU- India Strategic Partnership Roadmap.
1.3.2. Specific objective(s)
Specific objective
It will allow a further exchange of specific knowledge and a transfer of know-how to the benefit of the scientific communities, industry and citizens. A useful forum will continue to be offered to assess past cooperation and determine future actions, to address global challenges and to promote reciprocal access to programmes and funding.
1.3.3. Expected result(s) and impact
Specify the effects which the proposal/initiative should have on the beneficiaries/groups targeted.
This decision will allow both the Union and India to derive mutual benefit from the scientific and technical progress achieved through research cooperation in their respective specific research programmes and facilitate further increased cooperation. It will allow the Union and India to jointly tackle global challenges, and allow the Union to contribute to the sustainable modernisation of India.
1.3.4. Indicators of performance
Specify the indicators for monitoring progress and achievements.
The Commission services will regularly monitor all actions carried out under the Agreement, including an evaluation on cooperation activities. This evaluation will consist, among others, of the following elements:
(a) cooperation indicators – analysis of the number and type of participation of Indian entities in EU funded programmes (e.g. number of proposals, number of signed grant agreements, main collaboration links, main thematic; generated output) and vice-versa (whenever the data is available);
(b) performance indicators – success rate of Indian entities participating in the EU framework programmes compared to other third countries and to Member States/Associated Countries; analysis of the quality of the participation (e.g. number of best ranked universities taking part on the programme, number of patents and publications coming from collaborative projects);
(c) data collection regarding cooperation activities and links beyond the respective research funding programmes and assessment of the impact of these activities, like participation in multilateral initiatives and working groups.
1.4. The proposal/initiative relates to:
a new action
a new action following a pilot project / preparatory action16
the extension of an existing action
a merger or redirection of one or more actions towards another/a new action
1.5. Grounds for the proposal/initiative
1.5.1. Requirement(s) to be met in the short or long term including a detailed timeline for roll-out of the implementation of the initiative
This decision will allow the two Parties to continue to improve and intensify their cooperation in scientific and technological areas for mutual benefit.
1.5.2. Added value of EU involvement (it may result from different factors, e.g. coordination gains, legal certainty, greater effectiveness or complementarities). For the purposes of this section 'added value of EU involvement' is the value resulting from EU action, that is additional to the value that would have been otherwise created by Member States alone.
Reasons for action at EU level (ex-ante): Cooperation in research & innovation between India and the Union has been growing steadily in the past years. The involvement of the EU allows activities with larger scale and scope for the benefit of all Member States.
The renewal of this Agreement will allow for increased scientific knowledge leading to market access opportunities.
Expected generated EU added value (ex-post): The extension of this Agreement will allow for increased scientific knowledge, to the EU to have easier access to scientific knowledge produced in India, to engage in more cooperation activities leading to additional exchange of knowledge and technologies, and to provide easier access to the Indian market for European companies.
1.5.3. Lessons learned from similar experiences in the past
Based on the experience so far in scientific and technological cooperation, it is considered mutually beneficial to continue research cooperation with India by renewing the Agreement for a further period of 5 years.
1.5.4. Compatibility with the multiannual financial framework and possible synergies with other appropriate instruments
The extension of the Agreement with India is considered to be fully coherent and in line with the overall policy framework on International Cooperation in Research and Innovation, namely the Commission Communication of 18 May 2021 on the Global Approach to Research and Innovation, Europe's strategy for international cooperation in a changing world (COM(2021)252 final/2).
Synergies with other Union instruments in the area of EU-India cooperation will be sought, notably through various sectoral initiatives of the Commission, in particular those of DGs AGRI, CLIMA, JRC, EAC, ENER, GROW, CNECT, MARE, MOVE and TRADE, among others.
1.5.5. Assessment of the different available financing options, including scope for redeployment
The appropriations required for human resources and other expenditure of an administrative nature will be met by appropriations from the Programme that are already assigned to management of the action and/or have been redeployed within the DG, together, if necessary, with any additional allocation which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual allocation procedure and in the light of budgetary constraints.
1.6. Duration of the proposal/initiative and of its financial impact
limited duration
in effect from 17/05/2025 to 16/05/2030
financial impact from 2025 to 2030.
unlimited duration
- Implementation with a start-up period from YYYY to YYYY,
- followed by full-scale operation.
1.7. Method(s) of budget implementation planned
Direct management by the Commission
- by its departments, including by its staff in the Union delegations;
- by the executive agencies
Shared management with the Member States
Indirect management by entrusting budget implementation tasks to:
- third countries or the bodies they have designated
- international organisations and their agencies (to be specified)
- the European Investment Bank and the European Investment Fund
- bodies referred to in Articles 70 and 71 of the Financial Regulation
- public law bodies
- bodies governed by private law with a public service mission to the extent that they are provided with adequate financial guarantees
- bodies governed by the private law of a Member State that are entrusted with the implementation of a public-private partnership and that are provided with adequate financial guarantees
- bodies or persons entrusted with the implementation of specific actions in the common foreign and security policy pursuant to Title V of the Treaty on European Union, and identified in the relevant basic act
- bodies established in a Member State, governed by the private law of a Member State or Union law and eligible to be entrusted, in accordance with sector-specific rules, with the implementation of Union funds or budgetary guarantees, to the extent that such bodies are controlled by public law bodies or by bodies governed by private law with a public service mission, and are provided with adequate financial guarantees in the form of joint and several liability by the controlling bodies or equivalent financial guarantees and which may be, for each action, limited to the maximum amount of the Union support.
Comments
2. MANAGEMENT MEASURES
2.1. Monitoring and reporting rules
Participation of legal entities from India in the EU Framework Programme for Research and Innovation and other cooperative activities under the Agreement will be regularly followed through the regular meetings of the Joint Committee established under Art. 6 (b) of the Agreement.
2.2. Management and control system(s)
2.2.1. Justification of the budget implementation method(s), the funding implementation mechanism(s), the payment modalities and the control strategy proposed
The proposed initiative in the context of the Horizon Europe Framework Programme for Research & Innovation will be implemented through direct management mode.
As an activity to be fully carried out by a policy officer of the Commission, direct management is the most appropriate implementation mode. In particular, the expected core tasks necessary for a proper implementation of the proposed activity, such as policy dialogue, assessment of the EU-India research and innovation cooperation landscape, identification of joint priorities and similar tasks, are principal activities of the implementing service of the Commission – the 'Global Approach & International Cooperation in R&I' Directorate of DG R&I.
Additional support tasks of organisational, logistical, administrative and advisory nature may be assigned under a future framework contract for support actions for the international cooperation in research and innovation. Such support tasks, designed to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the proposed action, will be supervised by the Commission and will remain under its direct management.
2.2.2. Information concerning the risks identified and the internal control system(s) set up to mitigate them
Meetings and bilateral contacts take place on a regular basis allowing for the systematic sharing of information and control. No risks have been identified in the control system.
2.2.3. Estimation and justification of the cost-effectiveness of the controls (ratio between the control costs and the value of the related funds managed), and assessment of the expected levels of risk of error (at payment & at closure)
N/A
2.3. Measures to prevent fraud and irregularities
When the implementation of the Framework Programme calls for the use of external contractors or entails granting financial contribution to third parties, the Commission will carry out, where appropriate, financial audits, in particular if it has reason to doubt the realistic nature of work performed or described in the activity reports.
The Union’s financial audits will be carried out either by its own staff or by accounting experts approved according to the law of the audited party. The Union will choose the latter freely, while avoiding any risks of conflicts of interest which might be indicated to it by the party subject to the audit. In addition, the Commission will make sure, in carrying out the research activities, that the financial interests of the Union are protected by effective checks and, where irregularities are detected, by deterrent and proportionate measures and penalties.
In order to achieve this aim, rules on checks, measures and penalties, with reference to Regulations No 2988/95, No 2185/96 and No 883/2013 will be incorporated in all contracts used in the implementation of the framework programme.
In particular, the following points will have to be provided for in the contracts:
- the insertion of specific clauses in the contracts to protect the financial interests of the EU in carrying out checks and controls in relation to the work performed;
- the carrying out of administrative checks as part of anti-fraud measures, in accordance with Regulations No 2185/96 and No 883/2013;
- the application of administrative penalties for all intentional or negligent irregularities in the implementation of the contracts, in accordance with the Framework Regulation No 2988/95, including a blacklisting mechanism;
- the fact that any recovery orders in the event of irregularities and fraud must be enforceable according to Article 299 of the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union.
In addition and as a routine measure, a programme of checks on scientific and budgetary aspects of cooperation will be carried out by the staff responsible in the Directorate – General for Research and Innovation (DG RTD). An internal audit will be carried out by the Internal Audit unit of DG RTD, and local inspections will be carried out by the European Court of Auditors.
3. ESTIMATED FINANCIAL IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL/INITIATIVE
3.1. Heading(s) of the multiannual financial framework and expenditure budget line(s) affected
Existing budget lines
In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines.
| Heading of multiannual financial framework | Budget line | Type of expenditure | Contribution | |||
| Heading 1 – Single market, Innovation and Digital – Research and Innovation – Horizon Europe | Diff./Non-diff.17 | from EFTA countries18 | from candidate countries and potential candidates19 | From other third countries | other assigned revenue | |
| 1 | 01 01 01 01 | Non-diff. | YES | YES | YES | YES |
| 1 | 01 01 01 03 | Non-diff. | YES | YES | YES | YES |
New budget lines requested
In order of multiannual financial framework headings and budget lines.
| Heading of multiannual financial framework | Budget line | Type of expenditure | Contribution | |||
| Number | Diff./Non-diff. | from EFTA countries | from candidate countries and potential candidates | from other third countries | other assigned revenue | |
| [XX.YY.YY.YY] | Diff./Non-diff. | YES/NO | YES/NO | YES/NO | YES/NO |
3.2. Estimated financial impact of the proposal on appropriations
3.2.1. Summary of estimated impact on operational appropriations
- The proposal/initiative does not requires the use of operational appropriations, as explained below
3.2.1.1. Appropriations from voted budget
EUR million (to three decimal places)
| Heading of multiannual financial framework | 1 | ‘Single market, Innovation and Digital – Research and Innovation – Horizon Europe’ |
| DG: RTD | Year 202520 | Year 2026 | Year 2027 | Year 2028 | Year 2029 | Year 2030 | TOTAL | ||
| □ Operational appropriations | |||||||||
| Number of budget line: | Commitments | 1a | |||||||
| Payments | 2a | ||||||||
| Number of budget line | Commitments | 1b | |||||||
| Payments | 2b | ||||||||
| Appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope of specific programmes21 | |||||||||
| Number of budget line: 01 01 01 01 | Commitments & Payments | (3) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Number of budget line: 01 01 01 03 | Commitments& Payments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTAL appropriations for DG RTD | Commitments | =1a+1b +3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Payments | =2a+2b +3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| □ TOTAL operational appropriations | Commitments | (4) | |||||||
| Payments | (5) | ||||||||
| □ TOTAL appropriations of an administrative nature financed from the envelope for specific programmes | (6) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTAL appropriations under HEADING 1 of the multiannual financial framework | Commitments | =4+ 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Payments | =5+ 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| DG RTD | Year | Year | Year | TOTAL MFF 2021-2027 | |||
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | |||||
| Human resources | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |||
| Other administrative expenditure | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |||
| TOTAL DG RTD | Appropriations | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | ||
| DG RTD | Year | Year | Year | TOTAL MFF 2021-2027 | |||
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | |||||
| Human resources | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |||
| Other administrative expenditure | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | |||
| TOTAL DG <…….> | Appropriations | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | ||
| TOTAL appropriations under HEADING 7 of the multiannual financial framework | (Total commitments = Total payments) | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
EUR million (to three decimal places)
| Year | Year | Year | TOTAL MFF 2021-2027 | ||
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | |||
| TOTAL appropriations under HEADINGS 1 to 7 | Commitments | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| of the multiannual financial framework | Payments | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
3.2.2. Estimated output funded from operational appropriations (not to be completed for decentralised agencies)
Commitment appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places)
| Indicate objectives and outputs | Year 2024 | Year 2025 | Year 2026 | Year 2027 | Enter as many years as necessary to show the duration of the impact (see Section1.6) | TOTAL | ||||||||||||
| OUTPUTS | ||||||||||||||||||
| Type22 | Average cost | No | Cost | No | Cost | No | Cost | No | Cost | No | Cost | No | Cost | No | Cost | Total No | Total cost | |
| SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE No 123… | ||||||||||||||||||
| - Output | ||||||||||||||||||
| - Output | ||||||||||||||||||
| - Output | ||||||||||||||||||
| Subtotal for specific objective No 1 | ||||||||||||||||||
| TOTALS |
3.2.3. Summary of estimated impact on administrative appropriations
- The proposal/initiative does not require the use of appropriations of an administrative nature
- The proposal/initiative requires the use of appropriations of an administrative nature, as explained below
3.2.3.1. Appropriations from voted budget
| VOTED APPROPRIATIONS | Year | Year | Year | TOTAL 2021 - 2027 |
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | ||
| HEADING 7 | ||||
| Human resources | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Other administrative expenditure | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Subtotal HEADING 7 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Outside HEADING 7 | ||||
| Human resources | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Other expenditure of an administrative nature | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Subtotal outside HEADING 7 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| TOTAL | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
The appropriations required for human resources and other expenditure of an administrative nature will be met by appropriations from the DG that are already assigned to management of the action and/or have been redeployed within the DG, together, if necessary, with any additional allocation which may be granted to the managing DG under the annual allocation procedure and in the light of budgetary constraints.
3.2.4. Estimated requirements of human resources
- The proposal/initiative does not require the use of human resources
- The proposal/initiative requires the use of human resources, as explained below
3.2.4.1. Financed from voted budget
Estimate to be expressed in full-time equivalent units (FTEs)24
| VOTED APPROPRIATIONS | Year | Year | Year | |
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | ||
| Establishment plan posts (officials and temporary staff) | ||||
| 20 01 02 01 (Headquarters and Commission’s Representation Offices) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 01 02 03 (EU Delegations) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 01 01 01 01 (Indirect research) | .0 | .0 | 0 | |
| 01 01 01 11 (Direct research) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Other budget lines (specify) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| • External staff (inFTEs) | ||||
| 20 02 01 (AC, END from the ‘global envelope’) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 20 02 03 (AC, AL, END and JPD in the EU Delegations) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Admin. Support line [XX.01.YY.YY] | - at Headquarters | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| - in EU Delegations | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 01 01 01 02 (AC, END - Indirect research) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| 01 01 01 12 (AC, END - Direct research) | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Other budget lines (specify) - Heading 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| Other budget lines (specify) - Outside Heading 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| TOTAL | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Considering the overall strained situation in Heading 7, in terms of both staffing and the level of appropriations, the human resources required will be met by staff from the DG who are already assigned to the management of the action and/or have been redeployed within the DG or other Commission services.
Description of tasks to be carried out by:
| Officials and temporary staff | Preparation and management of Joint Committee Meetings foreseen under Article 6(b) of the Agreement and missions ensuring the good functioning and implementation, as well as regular review, of the Agreement. Calculations are done proportionally considering the duration of the Agreement. |
| External staff |
3.2.5. Overview of estimated impact on digital technology-related investments
| TOTAL Digital and IT appropriations | Year | Year | Year | TOTAL MFF 2021 - 2027 |
| 2025 | 2026 | 2027 | ||
| HEADING 7 | ||||
| IT expenditure (corporate) | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Subtotal HEADING 7 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Outside HEADING 7 | ||||
| Policy IT expenditure on operational programmes | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| Subtotal outside HEADING 7 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
| TOTAL | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.000 |
3.2.6. Compatibility with the current multiannual financial framework
The proposal/initiative:
- can be fully financed through redeployment within the relevant heading of the multiannual financial framework (MFF)
As mentioned above in terms of staffing, the human resources required will be met within the relevant heading by staff from the DG who are already assigned to the management of the action and/or have been redeployed within the DG or other Commission services.
- requires use of the unallocated margin under the relevant heading of the MFF and/or use of the special instruments as defined in the MFF Regulation
- requires a revision of the MFF
3.2.7. Third-party contributions
The proposal/initiative:
- does not provide for co-financing by third parties
- provides for the co-financing by third parties estimated below:
Appropriations in EUR million (to three decimal places)
| Year 2025 | Year 2026 | Year 2027 | Total | |
| Specify the co-financing body | ||||
| TOTAL appropriations co-financed |
3.3. Estimated impact on revenue
- The proposal/initiative has no financial impact on revenue.
- The proposal/initiative has the following financial impact:
on own resources
on other revenue
please indicate, if the revenue is assigned to expenditure lines
EUR million (to three decimal places)
| Budget revenue line: | Appropriations available for the current financial year | Impact of the proposal/initiative25 | ||
| Year 2025 | Year 2026 | Year 2027 | ||
| Article …………. |
For assigned revenue, specify the budget expenditure line(s) affected.
Other remarks (e.g. method/formula used for calculating the impact on revenue or any other information).
4. DIGITAL DIMENSIONS
4.1. Requirements of digital relevance
No provisions in the Council Decision regarding the renewal of the EU-India Science and Technology Agreement address data collection, processing, generation, exchange, or sharing; automation or digitalisation of processes; digital solutions; or the delivery of digital public services.
Therefore, there are no relevant digital dimensions which should be addressed in this chapter.
4.2. Data
N.A.
4.3. Digital solutions
N.A.
4.4. Interoperability assessment
N.A.
4.5. Measures to support digital implementation
N.A.
1Council Decision 2002/648/EC (OJ L 213, 9.8.2002, p. 29–29, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2002/648/oj).
2Council Decision 2009/501/EC (OJ L 171, 01.07.2009, p. 17, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2009/501/oj).
3Council Decision 2015/1788/EU (OJ L 260, 07.10.2015, p. 18, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2015/1788/oj).
4Council Decision 2020/789/EC (OJ L 193, 09.06.2020, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2020/789/oj).
5Evaluation of the EU-India science and technology agreement - Publications Office of the EU
6Communications from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions: “Enhancing and focusing EU international cooperation in research and innovation: a strategic approach” COM(2012) 497 and “Global Approach to Research and Innovation: Europe's strategy for international cooperation in a changing world”, COM (2021) 252.
7The TTC was launched in New Delhi on 25 April 2022 by the President of the European Commission and the Indian Prime Minister.
8Joint Communication to the European Parliament and the Council - ‘Elements for an EU strategy on India” JOIN(2018) 28.
9EU Strategy on India – Council conclusions 14634/18 (10 December 2018, p.3).
10“EU-India Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025” endorsed by the 15th EU-India Summit of 15 July 2020.
11Council Decision 2002/648/EC of 25 June 2002 concerning the conclusion of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India (OJ L 213, 09.08.2002, p. 29, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/agree_internation/2002/648/oj).
12Council Decision 2009/501/EC of 19 January 2009 concerning the conclusion of an Agreement renewing the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India (OJ L 171, 01.07.2009, p. 17, ELI: [please insert the ELI link]).
13Council Decision 2015/1788/EU of 1 October 2015 concerning the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India (OJ L 260, 07.10.2015, p. 18, ELI: [please insert the ELI link]).
14Council Decision 2020/789/EU of 9 June 2020 concerning the renewal of the Agreement for scientific and technological cooperation between the European Community and the Government of the Republic of India (OJ L 193, 17.06.2020, p. 3, ELI: http://data.europa.eu/eli/dec/2020/789/oj).
15Evaluation of the EU-India science and technology agreement - Publications Office of the EU
16As referred to in Article 58(2), point (a) or (b) of the Financial Regulation.
17Diff. = Differentiated appropriations / Non-diff. = Non-differentiated appropriations.
18EFTA: European Free Trade Association.
19Candidate countries and, where applicable, potential candidates from the Western Balkans.
20Year 2025 is the year in which implementation of the proposal/initiative starts and 2030 the year when it will end.
21Technical and/or administrative assistance and expenditure in support of the implementation of EU programmes and/or actions (former ‘BA’ lines), indirect research, direct research.
22Outputs are products and services to be supplied (e.g. number of student exchanges financed, number of km of roads built, etc.).
23As described in Section 1.3.2. ‘Specific objective(s)’
24Please specify below the table how many FTEs within the number indicated are already assigned to the management of the action and/or can be redeployed within your DG and what are your net needs.
25As regards traditional own resources (customs duties, sugar levies), the amounts indicated must be net amounts, i.e. gross amounts after deduction of 20% for collection costs.
EN EN