The forum was launched following the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to India, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties
As India and the European Union (EU) deepen their engagement in critical technologies, a new diplomatic initiative, the India-Europe Resilience Forum (IERF), has been launched to address shared security and economic challenges. The forum, introduced as a Track 1.5 Diplomacy initiative, aims to foster dialogue between policymakers, experts, and institutions from both regions.
Spearheaded by the Institute of Peace and Conflict Studies and the Hanns Seidel Foundation India, the IERF is supported by the Centre for Social Research and the Centre for Educational and Social Studies at Chanakya University. It seeks to enhance cooperation in non-traditional security areas, including supply chain resilience, emerging technologies, and sustainable development.
The forum was launched following the visit of European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen to India, where both sides reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening ties. A joint statement released at the end of the visit underscored the growing collaboration between India and Europe in trade, investment, semiconductor supply chains, digital and green industrial transitions, and space technology.
A key focus of the discussions was enhancing resilience in semiconductor supply chains. India and the EU agreed to explore joint research and development in chip design, sustainable semiconductor technologies, and process design kits (PDK) for advanced manufacturing. This initiative aligns with broader global efforts to reduce dependency on single-source suppliers and strengthen technological partnerships.
Following the forum’s launch, the inaugural roundtable on Critical Raw Materials (CRM) brought together experts to discuss opportunities and challenges in securing these essential resources. Both India and the EU rely heavily on imports for critical minerals, a sector currently dominated by China. Participants at the roundtable highlighted the need for diversified sourcing and greater investment in domestic and regional supply chains.
One expert at the discussion cautioned against the politicisation of critical minerals and suggested that the G20 could serve as an effective platform for addressing supply chain vulnerabilities. Another expert pointed to India’s strong ties with Africa as a potential advantage in securing alternative CRM sources, while also emphasising the EU’s technological expertise in refining and processing these materials.
India’s growing role in global mineral security was also highlighted. In June 2023, the country became the 14th member of the Mineral Security Partnership (MSP), joining the EU and other key nations. The MSP aims to bolster critical mineral supply chains through public and private sector investments, supporting economic growth and climate sustainability.
The IERF is expected to serve as a key platform for continued engagement between India and Europe, fostering collaboration in areas that are crucial for both economic resilience and security.