European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen are set to visit India from January 25-27 at the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. They will also be the Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day celebrations. During their visit, the leaders will co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit scheduled for January 27.
President Costa and President von der Leyen will meet with Indian dignitaries, including the President and Prime Minister, for talks aimed at strengthening bilateral ties. An India-EU Business Forum is also expected to take place during the Summit. India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004, with recent virtual summits and high-level engagements enhancing cooperation across various sectors.
The participation of EU leaders in the Republic Day celebrations and the India-EU Summit is seen as a significant step towards deepening the strategic partnership between the two entities. The Republic Day Parade, a key national event in India commemorating the adoption of the Constitution, will feature various displays and marching contingents. The recent reaffirmation of commitment to a Free Trade Agreement between India and the EU underscores the shared economic priorities and values of both parties.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal’s recent visit to Brussels marked progress in the FTA negotiations, with a focus on resolving pending issues and advancing towards a comprehensive agreement. High-level dialogues between Indian and EU officials have aimed at narrowing divergences and achieving clarity on outstanding matters. The engagement between Minister Goyal and Commissioner Sefcovic highlighted progress in key areas of the proposed agreement, signaling a positive trajectory in the negotiations.
