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EU Leaders Visit India for Republic Day, Historic Trade Deal on Horizon

European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are the chief guests for India's 77th Republic Day celebrations. Their visit precedes the 16th EU-India Summit, where formalizing a major trade agreement is a key agenda item. Both sides are pushing for the deal amid a shifting global trade landscape influenced by US and Chinese policies. The EU describes India as "indispensable" to its economic future, with bilateral trade in goods reaching 120 billion euros in 2024.

Key Points: EU Leaders in India for Republic Day, Summit & Trade Talks

  • EU leaders as Republic Day chief guests
  • 16th EU-India Summit agenda
  • "Historic" trade deal negotiations
  • Bilateral trade hit 120B euros in 2024
  • Strategic partnership expansion
3 min read

EU Council President to visit India on Republic Day ahead of 16th EU-India Summit

European Council President Antonio Costa and EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are chief guests for India's Republic Day, ahead of a summit aiming to finalize a major trade agreement.

"We are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement (with India). - Ursula von der Leyen"

New Delhi, January 25

On the occasion of India's Republic Day and the 16th EU-India Summit, European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa will be visiting New Delhi in order to enhance strategic and economic relationships between the two regions.

In a post on X, the EU in India said that ties between India and the European Union are moving forward with a focus on key cooperation areas.

"EU-India ties move forward. @EUCouncil President @antoniocostapm and @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen will be in New Delhi for the Republic Day & 16th EU-India Summit, Trade, security & clean transition and more on the agenda," the post read.

EU in India added, "We are coming all the way to India to strengthen our unique and trusted relationship... Our cooperation holds immense potential."

EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, along with European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, will serve as chief guests at India's 77th Republic Day celebrations on Monday. The visit will be followed by the India-EU summit and the formalisation of a trade agreement.

Von der Leyen arrived in the national capital on Saturday on a state visit and was received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry Jitin Prasada.

Speaking earlier this week at the World Economic Forum in Davos, von der Leyen said, "We are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement (with India)." Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal has described the proposed free trade agreement as "the mother of all deals", as New Delhi and Brussels look to expand market access amid tightening global trade conditions driven by US tariffs and Chinese export restrictions.

India and the European Union have both been impacted by the trade approach of US President Donald Trump. India faces tariff rates of up to 50 per cent on certain exports to the United States, while the EU is yet to ratify a trade arrangement with Washington that has been criticised as imbalanced.

The EU's foreign policy chief, Kaja Kallas, has described India as "indispensable" to Europe's economic and strategic future. The 27-nation bloc has also advanced a new security and defence partnership with India.

Together, India and the European Union represent around a quarter of the global population and gross domestic product. According to EU data, bilateral trade in goods touched 120 billion euros in 2024, marking an increase of nearly 90 per cent over the past decade, while trade in services amounted to an additional 60 billion euros.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
Interesting to see the EU's top leadership as chief guests for Republic Day. It sends a powerful message about India's growing geopolitical importance. The "mother of all deals" phrase is quite something – hope the final agreement lives up to the hype and is fair for both sides.
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Priya S
While a trade deal is good, I hope our negotiators are very careful. We must protect our farmers and small businesses. Sometimes these agreements favor the bigger player. Let's learn from past experiences and ensure it's truly mutually beneficial.
V
Vikram M
The numbers are impressive – 120 billion euros in goods trade! With both sides facing pressure from US tariffs, this partnership makes perfect strategic sense. A united India-EU front can bring more balance to global trade.
R
Rohit P
Good move. We need strong allies and diversified trade. Can't rely on any single market. Hope the clean energy and security partnerships also get a boost. Jai Hind!
K
Kavya N
"Indispensable" – that's a strong word from the EU foreign policy chief. It shows how much the world's view of India has changed. Proud moment on Republic Day. Let's use this position wisely to secure the best outcomes for our people.

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