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EU President’s India visit
During the EU President Ms. Ursula von der Leyen’s visit to India Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and EU President on 28 February reaffirmed the strong benefits of the India-EU Strategic Partnership and committed to elevating it further. Marking 20 years of strategic ties and over 30 years of cooperation, President von der Leyen led the EU College of Commissioners on a landmark visit, the first outside Europe under their new mandate and the first such visit in India-EU relations.
As the world’s largest democracies and open economies, India and the EU emphasized their shared values of democracy, rule of law, and a rules-based international order. They stressed the importance of cooperation in trade, supply chain resilience, investment, emerging technologies, innovation, digital and green industrial transitions, defense, and people-to-people ties. Key global challenges such as climate change, AI governance, development finance, and terrorism were also highlighted.
The leaders welcomed the progress made at the second ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) in fostering collaboration across trade, technology, and green transitions. They also acknowledged key outcomes from discussions between EU Commissioners and Indian Ministers.
Key Commitments:
Trade & Investment: Negotiating teams will work towards concluding a balanced and ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) within the year. Officials were tasked with enhancing market access, reducing trade barriers, and advancing agreements on investment protection and geographical indications.
Technology & Digital Cooperation: The India-EU TTC will deepen engagement in economic security, semiconductor ecosystems, AI, high-performance computing, 6G, digital public infrastructure, and green energy technologies. They welcomed the implementation of the MoU on semiconductors and agreements on 6G collaborations.
Clean Energy & Climate Action: Cooperation will expand in connectivity, clean hydrogen, offshore wind, solar energy, sustainable urban mobility, aviation, and railways. Agreements on the India-EU Green Hydrogen Forum and an Offshore Wind Energy Business Summit were welcomed.
Infrastructure & Connectivity: Both sides committed to advancing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) and strengthening cooperation under the International Solar Alliance (ISA), Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), and the Global Biofuels Alliance.
People-to-People Ties: Greater exchanges in education, research, tourism, culture, and sports were encouraged. Measures will be taken to promote legal, safe, and orderly migration, particularly in skilled workforce sectors.
Indo-Pacific Cooperation: India welcomed the EU’s participation in the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI). Both sides committed to trilateral cooperation in Africa and the Indo-Pacific.
Defense & Security: Enhanced cooperation in defense, including joint exercises and maritime security, was emphasized. The EU welcomed India’s interest in joining projects under the Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and engaging in negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement (SoIA).
Global and Regional Issues: Discussions covered the Middle East and Ukraine, with both sides supporting a just and lasting peace based on international law, territorial integrity, and sovereignty. A two-state solution for Israel and Palestine was reaffirmed.
The leaders expressed confidence that this visit would mark a new chapter in India-EU relations and reaffirmed their commitment to deepening the strategic partnership. They looked forward to the next India-EU Summit in India at the earliest mutually convenient time and the adoption of a new joint Strategic Agenda. President von der Leyen thanked Prime Minister Shri Modi for his warm hospitality.