European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has landed in India for a State Visit, coinciding with India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations where she will be a Chief Guest alongside European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa. The visit signifies a significant moment in India–EU relations. Upon her arrival, von der Leyen was welcomed by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology Jitin Prasada.
The Ministry of External Affairs highlighted the importance of the India–EU partnership, emphasizing mutual trust and shared values between the two largest democracies in the world. This visit follows the arrival of European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President Kaja Kallas in New Delhi for her first official visit, aimed at bolstering the India–EU Strategic Partnership through ongoing high-level engagements.
The visit of European leaders comes amidst increased diplomatic interactions between India and the European Union, as both sides aim to enhance cooperation amid global uncertainties and geopolitical challenges. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar recently engaged with Ambassadors from EU member countries in New Delhi, focusing on the current global environment characterized by instability and rapid changes.
Jaishankar advocated for closer India–EU collaboration, highlighting areas where the partnership could contribute to global stability. Strengthening ties, according to Jaishankar, would help in mitigating risks in the world economy, providing public goods like Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR), anti-piracy operations, and development projects, and enhancing trade, mobility, and security partnerships to stabilize the global order.
The upcoming State Visit by European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is eagerly anticipated by India, with both leaders set to co-chair the 16th India–EU Summit on January 27. The visit will include meetings with President Droupadi Murmu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with discussions on economic cooperation and trade at the India–EU Business Forum.
The Ministry of External Affairs emphasized the strategic importance of the India–EU partnership through these high-level visits and diplomatic engagements, highlighting the shared challenges and uncertainties faced globally.
