May 9 is commemorated as Europe Day in the European Union countries. It is observed as Schuman Day also as per Schuman Declaration of 9 May 1950, which resulted in creation of European Union. Europe and India have interacted for more than two millennia as trade and cultural partners.

In 21st Century, this relationship gains importance like never before.

India- EU Partnership:

India and the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection department (ECHO) of European Commission are working on  assistance during natural calamities including  cyclones, floods, earthquakes as also man-made crisis of all kinds.ECHO has been assisting in South Asia since long in capacity of donor of financing, relief supplies, planning of projects and  coordination of disaster mitigation.

Further, Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi created Jean Monnet Chair for helping boost the activities of the European Union in India.Apart from this, events like EURAXESS Science slam in India  was organized in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune on 29 September 2013.It was followed on 1 November 2014, by the second edition in collaboration with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research (TIFR), Mumbai.Further, third edition event was held on 30 October 2015 at the Alliance française in Bangalore.

EU Companies Active in India:

Renowned brands from European Union contributing in India include Ferrari, Nokia, Airbus, BNP Paribas, Dassault, Decathlon, Michelin, Bosch, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Lacoste, Renault, Mercedes-Benz, Axa, BMW and Standard Chartered just to name only a few with host of other top companies.

Most of these brands are based in cities including Hyderabad, Bangalore, Chennai and Pune which cater to the exclusive needs of these companies in terms of  qualified manpower and infrastructure.These companies are active in the fields of ICT, biotechnology ,engineering and various other sectors engaging in joint ventures with Indian companies.

The  European start-up companies in ICT technology make use of Indian back-offices as well as development centers, benefiting mutually.

Europe in Bollywood:

The new refreshing trend is seen in Indian film industry which gives break to European actors in Bollywood movies. Several films are filmed on breathtaking locations in Europe. While filming there, local European actors are preferred to provide an authenticate feel to the project.

 Apart from this, many  European models appear in advertisements for the Indian products marketing. Prominent among these  European actress-models in Bollywood are Suzanne Bernert, Elli Avram,  Hazel Crowney, Claudia Ciesla, Alice Patten and Amy Jackson to name a few.

India-EU Tourism:

The new mobility provided by direct flights from India to Europe and back has given significant rise to number of tourists from both sides to either directions. While European tourists marvel at the breathtaking variety of culture and landscape India provides, the Indian tourists admire the well organized and beautifully maintained destinations of Europe. The rising prosperity of Indian middle class has boosted the tourist influx to Europe from the sub-continent .

All in all, the Europe Day on May 9 has all the good reasons to celebrate India-EU interaction for a long time to come.