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Stichting The London Story

TLS

Foundation the London Story (TLS) is an Indian Diaspora led non-profit human rights organization concerned with the declining status of democracy and human rights in India.

Lobbying Activity

Response to International Digital Strategy

21 May 2025

This submission is offered in response to the European Commissions forthcoming Joint Communication on International Digital Strategy, at a time when the European Union is seeking to expand its global influence in digital and emerging technologies, including through deeper cooperation with strategic partners such as the Republic of India. Indias technological and geopolitical relevance to the EUs digital ambitions are well established; the 2024 European Parliament Recommendation on EU-India Relations stated that with support from India, the EU is better placed to advance global standards in the digital sector. However, as acknowledged in the European Parliament Recommendation and in ongoing civil society reporting, these opportunities are increasingly overshadowed by growing concerns over Indias democratic backsliding, the erosion of fundamental freedoms including academic freedom, and the governments growing encroachment on the independence of universities. The principal channel for concrete EU-India cooperation on emerging technologies such as AI and quantum is the Horizon Europe research and innovation program, which allows Indian institutions to participate in critical research projects and knowledge exchanges. This cooperation is central to the EUs International Digital Strategy. Therefore, this submission sets out to examine the strategic risks and structural contradictions embedded in the EU International Digital Strategy with regards to academic partnerships, research and knowledge sharing with India. In particular, it focuses on i) the erosion of academic freedom in India and the exclusion of independent institutions and critical disciplines from EU-India knowledge sharing, and ii) the regulatory divergence that threatens secure data sharing. These issues risk undermining the EUs human-centric digital agenda and its ability to compete globally without the benefit of diverse and credible academic collaboration from India.
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Response to New comprehensive strategic approach towards India

8 May 2025

This submission is offered in response to the European Commissions forthcoming Joint Communication on EU-India relations, at a time when the European Union is actively seeking to deepen its strategic engagement with the Republic of India. Indias strategic importance to the EU is indisputable. Yet, as has also been noted in the 10th Parliamentary recommendation to the Council and the Commission, these opportunities are obscured by the serious and mounting concerns regarding Indias internal trajectory. The concerns are further deepened due to the Modi Governments record on human rights and rule of law, which was until recently being touted as the shared values between EU and India. This submission sets out to examine the strategic risks and structural contradictions within the EU-India relationship across four core domains. These are namely (i) threats to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region; (ii) the risks to economic security within the framework of bilateral trade and supply chain diversification; (iii) environmental and energy cooperation, particularly to advance the green transition and (iv) technological and regulatory divergence and the challenges of digital governance.
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Meeting with Angelika Niebler (Member of the European Parliament, Delegation chair)

2 May 2025 · EU-India relations

Meeting with Raphaël Glucksmann (Member of the European Parliament)

28 Mar 2025 · India

Meeting with Bert-Jan Ruissen (Member of the European Parliament)

26 Mar 2025 · Freedom of religion

Meeting with Mika Aaltola (Member of the European Parliament)

19 Feb 2025 · EU Affairs

Meeting with Bert-Jan Ruissen (Member of the European Parliament)

5 Sept 2024 · Freedom of religion

Meeting with Engin Eroglu (Member of the European Parliament, Shadow rapporteur)

16 Oct 2023 · Background information on the political and human rights situation in India

Meeting with Helena Dalli (Commissioner) and

26 Apr 2023 · Presentation of their work on antiracism and against Islamophobia.

Meeting with Helmut Scholz (Member of the European Parliament)

25 Apr 2023 · Human Rights situation in India

Meeting with Salvatore De Meo (Member of the European Parliament)

27 Feb 2023 · The situation in India

Meeting with Kim Van Sparrentak (Member of the European Parliament)

7 Feb 2023 · study on disinformation and targeted advertising during the last Dutch elections

Meeting with Kathleen Van Brempt (Member of the European Parliament)

30 Sept 2022 · Internationale handel: handelsakkoord EU-India - APA

Meeting with Samira Rafaela (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Jun 2022 · Human Rights

Meeting with Maria Arena (Member of the European Parliament)

21 Jun 2022 · Meeting with Indian Human Rights Defender on Challenges to India's Democracy

Meeting with Alviina Alametsä (Member of the European Parliament)

29 Mar 2022 · India’s Stand on Ukraine and Implications for EU-India Relations