New Delhi is set to host a pivotal gathering as Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcomes European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27. This high-level meeting underscores the deepening ties between two global powerhouses, focusing on shared priorities in a turbulent world.
Costa emphasized India’s role as an essential partner for the EU, highlighting their joint commitment to upholding a rules-based international order. The summit arrives at a critical juncture, offering a platform to advance the EU-India strategic partnership across key domains like trade, security, defense, clean energy transitions, and people-to-people exchanges.
Ahead of the main event, both leaders will grace India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations on January 26 as guests of honor, symbolizing the warmth in bilateral relations. Discussions are expected to culminate in the adoption of a comprehensive EU-India Strategic Agenda, structured around four pillars: prosperity and stability, technology and innovation, defense and security, and connectivity alongside global issues.
A major highlight could be breakthroughs on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA), negotiations for which began in 2007 and were relaunched in 2022. Finalizing this deal would supercharge bilateral trade and investment, fostering economic resilience amid global uncertainties.
Security remains front and center, with talks on regional cooperation, multilateralism, and pressing global challenges. Expect in-depth exchanges on strengthening a free and prosperous Indo-Pacific, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, and Middle East tensions. This summit not only reinforces strategic alignment but also charts a course for collaborative leadership on the world stage.