A new world in trade: How Europeans can make the most of the India deal
The new EU-India free trade agreement could become a template for 21st-century trade governance
Experts & Staff
Manisha Reuter
Deputy Programme Director, Asia programme
Areas of expertise
EU-India relations; India-China relations; European Indo-Pacific policy
Languages
German, English, Gujarati (conversational), Spanish (conversational), Chinese (basic)
Biography
Manisha Reuter is deputy programme director for ECFR’s Asia programme. She is working on India-EU relations, China-India relations and maritime security in the Indo-Pacific. Upon joining ECFR in August 2020, Reuter worked for the Asia Program of The German Marshall Fund of the United States. Moreover, she has gained professional experience working for the Bosch Foundation’s Fellow Program as well as in the German Research Council (DFG) funded project “A BRICS-Variant of Capitalism? Challenges to the Stability of the Economic Model of Larger Emerging Countries, a Case Study of Brazil and India“. Manisha has been awarded as EuropeIndia40 leader as part of the 2023 class by the Europe India Center for Business Industry.
Reuter holds a BA in political science and business psychology from the University of Lüneburg, Germany and the Hong Kong Baptist University, China, as well as an MA in International Studies/ Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Frankfurt am Main, Germany.
Rebooting EU-India relations: How to unlock post-election potential
Ties between Brussels and New Delhi have long struggled to reach their potential. After their respective elections, shared geopolitical concerns about China and common goals on topics from technology to economic security can provide a chance for a reboot
More than just a climate deal: The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty and the EU’s potential contribution to the Pacific
The Falepili Union treaty prioritises Tuvalu’s urgent concerns about climate change. As the EU looks to deepen relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific, it should tailor its offers to regional priorities
The battle for the Indian Ocean: How the EU and India can strengthen maritime security
China is becoming increasingly assertive in the Indian Ocean. The EU and India should work together to support the smaller states of the region
The costs of escalation: How political leaders can build more public support for Taiwan
Voters in Europe and the G7 still lack a clear idea of what Chinese action against Taiwan could mean for their own lives. Political leaders should start to remedy this
Here be dragons: India-China relations and their consequences for Europe
The border standoff between China and India illustrates the growing rivalry between the two countries – and the part that other major powers play in it
Why India’s silence on Ukraine is an opportunity for Europe
India’s dependency on Russia has left it reluctant to publicly criticise Putin’s war on Ukraine. Rather than pressure India to pick a side, the EU should show India that it is a serious geopolitical partner
Moving closer: European views of the Indo-Pacific
It will take more than just strong support from France, Germany, and the Netherlands to ensure that the new EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific is effective in the long term
Indo-specific: The potential of the EU-India Leaders’ Meeting
The EU’s and India’s willingness to fulfil the untapped economic potential of their relationship indicates that their positions might still quite far apart but, for geopolitical reasons, they want to reach a compromise
The prospects for EU-India relations ahead of the Leaders Summit
What are the prospects for a closer EU-India relationship following the upcoming EU-India Leaders Summit?
Publications
The battle for the Indian Ocean: How the EU and India can strengthen maritime security
China is becoming increasingly assertive in the Indian Ocean. The EU and India should work together to support the smaller states of the region
Articles
A new world in trade: How Europeans can make the most of the India deal
The new EU-India free trade agreement could become a template for 21st-century trade governance
Rebooting EU-India relations: How to unlock post-election potential
Ties between Brussels and New Delhi have long struggled to reach their potential. After their respective elections, shared geopolitical concerns about China and common goals on topics from technology to economic security can provide a chance for a reboot
More than just a climate deal: The Australia-Tuvalu Falepili Union treaty and the EU’s potential contribution to the Pacific
The Falepili Union treaty prioritises Tuvalu’s urgent concerns about climate change. As the EU looks to deepen relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific, it should tailor its offers to regional priorities
The costs of escalation: How political leaders can build more public support for Taiwan
Voters in Europe and the G7 still lack a clear idea of what Chinese action against Taiwan could mean for their own lives. Political leaders should start to remedy this
Here be dragons: India-China relations and their consequences for Europe
The border standoff between China and India illustrates the growing rivalry between the two countries – and the part that other major powers play in it
Why India’s silence on Ukraine is an opportunity for Europe
India’s dependency on Russia has left it reluctant to publicly criticise Putin’s war on Ukraine. Rather than pressure India to pick a side, the EU should show India that it is a serious geopolitical partner
Indo-specific: The potential of the EU-India Leaders’ Meeting
The EU’s and India’s willingness to fulfil the untapped economic potential of their relationship indicates that their positions might still quite far apart but, for geopolitical reasons, they want to reach a compromise
Friends in deed: How the EU and the Quad can promote security in the Indo-Pacific
China’s growing assertiveness is already driving closer cooperation among democracies. The EU should now incorporate the Quad more directly into its strategic thinking and activity
Responding to the China challenge: The state of play on investment screening in Europe
The EU has taken a major step forward in protecting its interests from harmful foreign investments and takeovers. Follow ECFR’s new tracker to keep up to date with this important geopolitical challenge
How China could push Europe and India closer together
India and Europe are both looking to free themselves from dependence on China. On questions of health and technology, they should be natural allies
Specials
Moving closer: European views of the Indo-Pacific
It will take more than just strong support from France, Germany, and the Netherlands to ensure that the new EU strategy for the Indo-Pacific is effective in the long term
Podcasts
The prospects for EU-India relations ahead of the Leaders Summit
What are the prospects for a closer EU-India relationship following the upcoming EU-India Leaders Summit?
In the media
No large corporation wants to miss out on India, the market is simply too big
Manisha Reuter comments why India is the new China for many large corporations
(India) rather claims to be another pole in a bigger, multipolar world order – and not in a bipolar one between China and the US
In this interview, Manisha Reuter explains how India perceives herself and the European Union
Manisha Reuter and Frédéric Grare on the tensions in the Indian Ocean
How hard can it be to create a fast track for business travellers?
Manisha Reuter criticizes the slow progress of EU visa liberalisation for Indian business travellers
The crisis could be a moment to recognize India’s legitimate security interests and look at what are its dependencies and needs, and how we can help reduce its dependencies on Russia
Manisha Reuter comments on the promise of greater EU-India cooperation in the aftermath of Russia’s attack on Ukraine, especially in the defense realm