India, European Union hold human rights dialogue, discuss AI governance and civil liberties
New Delhi, June 24. India and the European Union on June 24 held the 12th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue in New Delhi, reaffirming their commitment to advancing human rights and strengthening cooperation on issues ranging from civil liberties and gender rights to artificial intelligence governance and humanitarian assistance.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Additional Secretary (Europe West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Herve Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India.
Both sides described the discussions as meaningful, candid and constructive and underscored the importance of holding the dialogue on a regular basis. They exchanged perspectives on their respective approaches, achievements and challenges in promoting and protecting human rights and reviewed developments in India, the European Union and the broader international landscape since the previous dialogue held in January 2025.
The discussions also built on commitments made during the 16th India-EU Summit held in New Delhi in January this year, where leaders pledged to elevate the India-EU Strategic Partnership based on shared values such as democracy, human rights, pluralism, the rule of law and support for a rules-based international order centred on the United Nations.
Amid growing global challenges, India and the EU reiterated their commitment to the promotion and protection of all human rights and highlighted the universality, indivisibility and interdependence of these rights. Together, India and the EU account for nearly one-fourth of the world’s population.
The dialogue covered a broad spectrum of issues, including civil and political rights, social, economic and cultural rights, combating discrimination, the rights of migrants, freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of expression and opinion both online and offline.
The two sides also exchanged views on gender equality, LGBTQI+ rights and child rights, while reaffirming their commitment to developing trustworthy, sustainable and human-centric artificial intelligence, in line with discussions held during the AI Impact Summit 2026 hosted by India.
Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief cooperation also figured prominently in the talks, alongside discussions on implementing the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights and identifying avenues for deeper collaboration in the area.
India and the EU stressed the importance of strengthening national and international human rights institutions and mechanisms and highlighted the need to protect the freedom, independence and diversity of civil society organisations, journalists and other stakeholders, while respecting freedom of association and peaceful assembly.
The European Union reiterated its long-standing opposition to capital punishment in all circumstances, while India reaffirmed its position that the Right to Development should be recognised as a distinct, universal, inalienable and fundamental human right.
Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to continued engagement on human rights issues in bilateral and multilateral forums, including the United Nations General Assembly and the United Nations Human Rights Council, and explored practical avenues for future cooperation.
India and the European Union agreed to continue the dialogue process at the next India-EU Human Rights Dialogue scheduled for 2027.
