Challenging the EU’s normative power: Media views on the EU in India

Abstract

This article presents comparative analysis across time of the European Union (EU) and India in energy affairs. Yet, while there have been a number of signed agreements and completed negotiations, the actual achievements of the dialogue in energy matters are still questionable. This article focuses on how two leading Indian newspapers (The Times of India and The Economic Times) represented India’s dialogue with the EU. The three frames of sustainability, competitiveness and security of supply were traced in three peak time periods: (i) the Joint Declaration of Enhanced Energy Cooperation February 2012, (ii) the Doha Climate Change Conference in 2012 and (iii) the Warsaw Climate Change Conference in 2013. The analysis is guided by two questions: (i) whether the EU is recognised as a ‘normative’ power in the Indian influential press and (ii) whether Indian perceptions of the EU’s ‘normative’ power in energy framework have changed over time? The findings highlight the perceptions of the dynamics of EU cooperation with India in the energy field. Manners’ analysis of the EU’s ‘core’ and ‘minor’ norms provides a valuable perspective to analyse the EU’s international identity in energy affairs with external partners.