A New Chapter in India-EU Relations

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to India aims to strengthen trade, economic security, and defence cooperation. It marks an unprecedented effort to deepen the India-EU strategic partnership amid heightened geopolitical uncertainties.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and the political leadership of the 27-nation European Union will visit India next week to strengthen trade, economic security, and defence cooperation. The visit comes amid heightened geopolitical uncertainties in Europe, driven by the policies of U.S. President Donald Trump.

The College of Commissioners, comprising the political leaders of the 27 member states, is being described as undertaking an unprecedented visit. It is rare for the entire leadership to travel jointly to a foreign country. This also marks one of the first international visits by the European Commission since its election last year.

The European Union announced that its leadership will visit New Delhi on February 27-28, underscoring the importance of strengthening cooperation in key areas critical to the prosperity and security of both Europe and India.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen emphasised that Europe stands for openness, partnership, and global engagement in an era of intense geostrategic competition, reaffirming the EU’s commitment to deepening ties with one of its most trusted friends and allies – India.

Describing the two sides as like-minded partners united by a "shared conviction that democracy best serves the people," she emphasised their commitment to strengthening the strategic partnership. This includes advancing trade, economic security, resilient supply chains, a standard technology agenda, and enhanced security and defence cooperation.

Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal highlighted the significance of the EU-India strategic partnership for New Delhi. He stated that the upcoming high-level discussions would further reinforce bilateral ties. He noted that all aspects of the relationship, including trade and technology, would be addressed during the visit.

The European Union College of Commissioners and the Government of India will convene for a plenary session co-chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. College members will engage in individual meetings with their Indian counterparts, while Modi and von der Leyen will also hold a bilateral discussion.

The second meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) is scheduled to take place during the visit. The European Union is represented by Vice-President Henna Virkkunen, High Representative for Foreign and Security Policy Kaja Kallas, and Commissioners Maroš Šefčovič and Ekaterina Zaharieva.

The TTC aims to enhance collaboration in digital transition, green technologies, and trade and investment. According to the EU, key topics on the agenda include cooperation on digital public infrastructure and its interoperability, strengthening the resilience of critical value chains, and addressing global trade challenges.

The visit follows European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s announcement of a new strategic agenda for India, which will be presented at the upcoming EU-India Summit later this year. The European Union emphasised that, as the world’s two largest democracies, the EU and India are committed to a rules-based global order, effective multilateralism, and sustainable development.

The EU remains India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods reaching €124 billion in previous years—an increase of nearly 90 per cent over the past decade. Approximately 6,000 European companies operate in India, directly employing 1.7 million people. The two parties resumed negotiations on a free trade agreement in 2022, with the next round of discussions scheduled in Brussels from March 10 to 14.