New Delhi, India — India and the European Union (EU) held the 12th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue in New Delhi on Tuesday, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening cooperation on human rights, democracy, the rule of law, and the rules-based international order.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Additional Secretary (Europe West), Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, and Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India.
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Both sides described the discussions as meaningful, free, and constructive, highlighting the importance of maintaining regular engagement under the India-EU Human Rights Dialogue framework. Delegations exchanged views on developments in India, the European Union, and at regional and international levels since the previous dialogue held in January 2025.
The meeting recalled the outcomes of the 16th India-EU Summit, held in New Delhi in January 2026, where leaders pledged to elevate the India-EU Strategic Partnership based on shared values including democracy, human rights, pluralism, the rule of law, and a rules-based international order with the United Nations at its core.
During the dialogue, India and the EU reaffirmed their commitment to promoting and protecting all human rights. As two of the world’s largest democratic entities and together representing nearly one-quarter of the global population, both sides emphasized the universality, indivisibility, and interdependence of human rights.
The discussions covered a broad range of issues, including civil and political rights, economic, social and cultural rights, combating discrimination, the rights of migrants, freedom of religion or belief, freedom of expression online and offline, gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights, and child rights.
India and the EU also reaffirmed their commitment to developing trustworthy, sustainable, and human-centric artificial intelligence, building on discussions held during the AI Impact Summit 2026 hosted by India. The two sides explored opportunities for enhanced cooperation in humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, and the implementation of the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.
Both delegations recognized the important role of national and international human rights institutions and underscored the need to safeguard the freedom, independence, and diversity of civil society organizations, journalists, and other stakeholders, while respecting freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
The European Union reiterated its longstanding opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances, while India reaffirmed its position that the Right to Development should be recognized as a distinct, universal, inalienable, and fundamental human right.
Concluding the dialogue, India and the EU pledged to continue engaging on human rights through bilateral mechanisms, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC), and other multilateral platforms. Both sides also agreed to continue the constructive engagement at the 13th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue, scheduled to be held in 2027.
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