Despite concerns over India’s ongoing ties with Russia and participation in Russian military exercises, the European Union is pushing to finalize a historic free trade and strategic defense deal with India by year-end. Both sides tout booming EU investment and jobs in India, stressing the colossal untapped potential of their partnership. EU leaders say disagreements on oil, tariffs, and security will not derail this transformative alliance, even as US tariffs loom and Russia remains a sticking point. Will Europe’s strategy reshape the global order?