India–EU Ties Set for Major Leap as Leaders Push for Trade Deal, Mobility Framework and Strategic Cooperation
India and the European Union are poised to usher in a new chapter in their partnership as top EU leaders arrive in New Delhi for high-level talks aimed at finalising a long-awaited free trade agreement and expanding cooperation across economic, strategic and people-centric sectors.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reached the capital on Saturday, while European Council President Antonio Costa
is scheduled to arrive on Sunday.
Both leaders will serve as chief guests at India’s Republic Day celebrations, underscoring the growing political and diplomatic importance of the India–EU relationship.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, ahead of the landmark summit on January 27, highlighted how India’s expanding network of trade and mobility agreements is opening fresh avenues for the country’s young workforce.
He said these partnerships are not only strengthening India’s global economic footprint but also creating new employment and learning opportunities for Indian talent worldwide.
At the heart of the discussions will be the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), described by European leaders as a transformative economic pact.
Alongside the trade deal, both sides are expected to unveil a new mobility cooperation framework that will facilitate smoother movement for students, researchers, skilled professionals, and seasonal workers between India and Europe.
The visiting EU leadership will also hold talks with External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar to map out the next phase of collaboration across areas ranging from global security to climate action and technological innovation.
The summit agenda is wide-ranging, with a strong focus on strengthening economic ties, boosting supply chain resilience, enhancing defence and security cooperation, and accelerating the clean energy transition.
A dedicated security and defence partnership agreement is also expected to be signed, reflecting the growing strategic convergence between the two sides.
India and the EU are likely to adopt a five-year comprehensive strategic roadmap, laying down priorities in trade, sustainability, digital transformation, and multilateral engagement.
A joint statement will outline the outcomes of the summit and future commitments.
Economically, the EU remains India’s largest trading partner in goods.
Bilateral trade has continued to rise, with total trade touching approximately $136 billion in the current financial year, reflecting the deepening commercial interdependence between the two economies.
Addressing the nation during the government’s latest Rozgar Mela, Prime Minister Modi stressed that India’s youthful demographic advantage is being strengthened through global partnerships, rising foreign investment and domestic reforms.
He pointed to the surge in foreign direct investment (FDI) over the past decade, noting that global confidence in India’s growth story has translated into expanded job opportunities across sectors.
According to him, India has emerged as the world’s fastest-growing major economy, doubling its GDP in a decade and attracting investors from over 100 countries.
During the event, more than 61,000 newly appointed government employees received their appointment letters across dozens of locations nationwide.
Modi urged them to embrace innovation, adaptability and a citizen-first approach in governance, emphasising that public service must evolve with technological change.
He reminded officials that governance is not just about policies but also about daily actions that improve ease of living and ease of doing business for ordinary citizens, urging them to uphold the principle of “Nagrik Devo Bhava” — placing citizens at the centre of administration.
As India and the European Union move closer to sealing one of the world’s most significant trade agreements, the summit is expected to redefine their partnership, blending economic ambition with strategic trust and people-to-people engagement.
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