The European Union opened its first European Legal Gateway Office in India to streamline legal migration for Indian ICT professionals, consolidating information across all 27 EU member states and guiding students, researchers, and tech professionals on qualifications, skills recognition, and mobility routes.

AI’s role was highlighted as a means to bridge divides and enable scalable social progress and growth, as discussed at the India AI Impact Summit.

External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar described the gateway initiative as a reflection of the growing depth, confidence, and maturity of the India–EU strategic partnership.

European leaders signaled support for the early implementation of the India–EU Free Trade Agreement and indicated willingness to expedite ratification procedures within European institutions.

EU leadership noted in AI regulation and digital strategy, with member states investing in infrastructure, research ecosystems, and semiconductor production, and highlighted bilateral AI governance cooperation with India among several countries.

The Gateway Office launch coincided with strong European participation at the AI Impact Summit 2026 in New Delhi, underscoring heightened India–EU collaboration, with representatives from 26 European countries and multiple Heads of State or Government in attendance.

The Gateway Office launch followed the January 27 India–EU Summit, where negotiations for a free trade agreement were described by both sides as the ‘mother of all trade deals.’

Jaishankar emphasized India’s contribution to global talent pools in digital, scientific, and emerging technologies, and stressed the importance of de-risking and enabling global talent flows in the evolving economy.

Overall, the initiative is framed as part of broader efforts to foster legal, transparent migration and deepen India–EU collaboration.