The recently concluded visit of the European Commission President, Ursula von der Leyen — accompanied by 22 members of the 27-strong European Union (EU) College of Commissioners — to India was the first such visit to a non-European country since von der Leyen received the mandate afresh last year. The visit could potentially mark the beginning of a promising new era in India-Europe relations.

The visit took place against the backdrop of dramatic global developments and a fast-changing balance of power. The arrival of Donald Trump in the White House, and the near complete reversal in American foreign policy, has put the 80-year-old Euro-Atlantic alliance under immense and unprecedented stress. The new US administration has clearly stated, and Europe has equally clearly understood, that Washington won’t pay for Europe’s defence going forward. Europe is on its own. The Indian side too knows that its ability to count on the US for its defence and security is, at best, doubtful and, at worst, misplaced.

Trump has also infused a growing sense of angst in European minds — and to some extent in Indian minds too — about being sidelined from crucial great power conversations, which could have a more significant impact on Europe than India. Europe feels left out of the great power conversations particularly between the US and Russia; and India would feel........

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