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India-EU Ink Historic Free Trade Deal, Forge New Security Partnership

Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the India-EU Business Forum as a key platform for strengthening economic ties, coinciding with the signing of a historic Free Trade Agreement. The deal is expected to bring significant benefits to businesses and innovators, marking a new phase in bilateral relations. The visit by European leaders also resulted in the launch of a first-ever India-EU Security and Defence Partnership to deepen cooperation in maritime security, cyber threats, and defence technology. Both sides reiterated their commitment to reinforcing their strategic partnership with a focus on delivering tangible outcomes.

Key Points: India-EU Sign Landmark FTA, Boost Strategic Partnership

  • Landmark Free Trade Agreement signed
  • New Security & Defence Partnership launched
  • Roadmap to strengthen strategic ties by 2025
  • Focus on private investment and supply chains
2 min read

"India-EU Business Forum great platform to discuss economic linkages," says PM Modi

PM Modi hails new India-EU Free Trade Agreement as a blueprint for shared prosperity, alongside a new Security and Defence Partnership.

"The Free Trade Agreement signed today brings innumerable benefits for businesses, MSMEs and innovators. It is a new blueprint for shared prosperity. - Narendra Modi"

New Delhi, January 27

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Tuesday that the India-EU Business Forum was a platform for discussing ranging economic linkages between India and Europe.

PM Modi said the Free Trade Agreement with the European Union has brought benefits to several businesses.

In a post on X, he said, "The India-EU Business Forum was a great platform to discuss the wide-ranging economic linkages between India and Europe. The Free Trade Agreement signed today brings innumerable benefits for businesses, MSMEs and innovators. It is a new blueprint for shared prosperity."

At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, President of the European Council, Antonio Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, paid a State Visit to India on 25-27 January as the Chief Guests for the 77th Republic Day of India. President Costa and President von der Leyen were accompanied by a high-level delegation, including the High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, and the Trade Commissioner, Maros Sefcovic.

The leaders addressed the India-EU Business Forum, attended by CEOs and industry leaders from both sides, where they called for ambitious private sector investments to harness synergies in critical sectors and for new business initiatives to drive closer trade and investment ties.

The leaders commended progress on the 'India-EU Strategic Partnership: A Roadmap to 2025'. The two sides reiterated their determination to further reinforce their strategic partnership, delivering tangible benefits for both sides. The Summit took place against the backdrop of the positive momentum in India-EU relations in recent years, and sustained high-level engagement across all domains.

The leaders hailed the successful conclusion of negotiations of the landmark India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA). This historic deal is a milestone in the India-EU Strategic Partnership that will significantly enhance bilateral trade and investment ties, drive shared prosperity, strengthen resilient and diversified supply chains, and support sustainable and inclusive growth.

The leaders welcomed the signing of the India-EU Security and Defence Partnership, the first such overarching defence and security framework between the two sides that will deepen ties in the domains of maritime security, defence industry and technology, cyber and hybrid threats, space, and counter-terrorism among others. They also welcomed the launch of negotiations on a Security of Information Agreement that will facilitate the exchange of classified information and pave the way for a stronger cooperation in areas related to security and defence.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As someone working in the renewable energy sector, this is exciting news. Collaboration with European tech in green energy and sustainable growth is exactly what India needs. The Security and Defence Partnership is also a significant, forward-looking move.
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Vikram M
Good move, but implementation is key. We've signed many agreements before. The government must ensure our farmers and local manufacturers are protected from unfair competition. The "tangible benefits" must be clear for the common man.
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Priya S
Strengthening ties with Europe is excellent for job creation and technology transfer. Hope this leads to more "Make in India" success stories with European investment. The focus on cyber security and space cooperation is particularly smart.
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Rohit P
A historic deal indeed! This shows India's growing stature on the world stage. Having EU leaders as chief guests for Republic Day and signing such pacts sends a strong message. Now, let's see cheaper European goods and more Indian exports!
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Karthik V
While the economic part is promising, I sincerely hope the defence partnership is handled with utmost care and transparency. We must protect our strategic autonomy. The details of the Security of Information Agreement need public scrutiny.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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