India-EU Human Rights Dialogue Held in New Delhi

The 12th India-EU Human Rights Dialogue was held in New Delhi on 24 June 2026. The dialogue was co-chaired by Piyush Srivastava, Additional Secretary (Europe West) in the Ministry of External Affairs, and Hervé Delphin, Ambassador of the European Union to India.

India-EU Human Rights Framework

The India-EU Human Rights Dialogue is a bilateral mechanism between India and the European Union. The dialogue covers civil and political rights, social, economic and cultural rights, and issues linked to discrimination, migrants, freedom of religion or belief, and freedom of expression.

Key Rights Discussed

The 2026 dialogue covered gender rights, LGBTQI+ rights, and child rights. The two sides also discussed the freedom, independence, and diversity of civil society actors, organisations, and journalists, along with freedom of association and peaceful assembly.

Related International Commitments

India and the European Union reiterated support for trustworthy, sustainable, and human-centric Artificial Intelligence. The discussion linked this subject to the AI Impact Summit 2026 hosted by India.

Important Facts for Exams

• The European Union opposes capital punishment in its human rights policy.
• India recognises the Right to Development as a distinct, universal, inalienable, and fundamental human right.
• The 16th India-EU Summit was held in New Delhi in January 2026.
• The next India-EU Human Rights Dialogue is scheduled for 2027.

India-EU Strategic Partnership

The 16th India-EU Summit in January 2026 in New Delhi referred to democracy, human rights, and the rule of law as shared values in the strategic partnership. The India-EU Human Rights Dialogue forms part of this broader bilateral engagement.