EU-India Leaders Conference held on 5 November 2025 at European Parliament, Brussels

The Europe India Centre for Business and Industry (EICBI) organised the EU-India Leaders Conference on 5 November 2025 at the European Parliament in Brussels, bringing together senior policymakers, diplomats, and business leaders to advance the strategic partnership between Europe and India.

The conference began with welcome addresses by Ms Angelika Niebler, Member of European Parliament from Germany and Chair of the Delegation for Relations with India, alongside MEP Vladimir Prebilic from Slovenia, the Standing Rapporteur on India. Mr Prebilic emphasized the shared democratic values underpinning the partnership and called for the swift finalisation of the EU-India Free Trade Agreement, highlighting its significance in job creation, economic growth, and enhancing strategic autonomy.

Central to the conference were two major panel discussions that explored the multifaceted EU-India relationship as well as collaboration opportunities in the semiconductor industry. The first panel, moderated by Mr Alexander Deblond of Patroklos and the University of Antwerp, included panelists Mr Harsh Patel, Founder & CEO of Water and Shark; Mr Asif Iqbal, President of the India Economic Trade Organisation; Ms Paris Laxmi, Director of MAATR; and Mr John Alistair Clarke, Former Director of International Affairs at the European Commission. The dialogue covered broad economic and cultural dimensions of the EU-India partnership.

The second panel, focusing on semiconductor industry collaboration, was moderated by Mr Stefano Orlando of SEMI Europe and featured experts such as Christopher Frieling from SEMI Europe; Mr Darayus Adil Patel of IMEC; Mr Léo Saint-Martin of Decision Etudes & Conseil; Mr Sanjeev Sharma of the India Electronics & Semiconductor Association; and Dr Werner Steinhogl of the European Commission. Discussions underscored the critical role of this sector in shaping the technological future of both regions.

Certificates were presented to six distinguished EuropeIndia40 leaders in recognition of their valuable contributions. These leaders were Kaushal K. Bhati, Scientist & Program Lead at BASF Innovation Center, Belgium; Abhishek Tripathi, Director of Abiflo Ltd, United Kingdom; Shreya Kaushik, Founder & Creative Director of Art India (asbl), Belgium; Paris Laxmi, Dancer and Director of MAATR - nurturing Art, France; Michael Saxl, Trade Policy Advisor at the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, Austria; and Matias Lennart Castren, PhD Candidate at the South Asia Institute, Heidelberg University, Germany.

The conference concluded with networking sessions aimed at fostering continued cooperation, reaffirming the strong commitment of Europe and India to deepen their bilateral relationship grounded in democracy, shared values, and a future-driven agenda for trade, technology, and innovation.