NEW DELHI: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in New Delhi on Sunday, pitching the partnership between India and the European Union as a vital alternative model for global cooperation. Amidst a geopolitical landscape defined by conflict, protectionism, and political uncertainty, von der Leyen emphasized that growing strategic ties between the two regions could help “heal a fractured world.”
Her four-day visit, which precedes the 16th India-EU Summit scheduled for later this week, is being viewed as a significant stride toward cementing political, economic, and strategic engagement between New Delhi and Brussels.
REPUBLIC DAY HONOUR AND OFFICIAL WELCOME
Underscoring the escalating importance of India-EU relations, von der Leyen, accompanied by the President of the European Council, will attend the Republic Day parade as the chief guest.
Upon landing in the national capital, she was received by Union Minister Jitin Prasada. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) characterized the visit as a defining moment for bilateral ties.
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“Charting the next phase of the India-EU Strategic Partnership. A warm welcome to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on her State Visit to India,” said MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal. He added that as the world’s two largest democracies, India and the EU share a partnership grounded in “mutual trust and shared values.”
A MESSAGE OF RESILIENCE
In her first message following her arrival, von der Leyen utilized social media platform X to highlight the necessity of dialogue in current international relations.
“I’m so glad to be in India today. India and Europe have made a clear choice. The choice of strategic partnership, dialogue and openness. Leveraging our complementary strengths. And building mutual resilience. We are showing a fractured world that another way is possible,” she wrote.
Her remarks are being interpreted as a signal of tighter alignment between India and Europe on major global challenges, positioning the relationship as a stabilizing force in an increasingly polarized era.
FOCUS ON THE ‘MOTHER OF ALL DEALS’
A primary focus of the visit is the negotiation of a long-pending Free Trade Agreement (FTA), which both parties view as essential for deepening economic integration. Von der Leyen has previously referred to the proposed pact as the “mother of all deals,” noting that it would create a market serving 2 billion people, or approximately one-fourth of the global GDP.
According to officials, the agreement targets the removal of tariffs on more than 90 percent of traded goods. This move is expected to yield significant benefits for sectors such as pharmaceuticals, garments, engineering products, and IT services.
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Currently, bilateral trade between India and the European Union stands at 136.53 billion US dollars, making the bloc one of India’s largest trading partners. Officials believe that the FTA, combined with closer strategic coordination, could substantially increase this volume in the near future.
“Both sides are looking to move from intent to implementation, particularly in trade and technology,” a senior official involved in the discussions stated.
TECHNOLOGY AND SECURITY AGENDA
Beyond commerce, the agenda includes extensive discussions on cooperation in climate action, clean energy, digital infrastructure, and security.
Diplomatic sources indicate that both sides are keen to strengthen supply chain resilience to reduce dependence on limited markets. This is particularly relevant for critical sectors such as semiconductors, renewable energy, and advanced manufacturing. Additionally, India and the EU are expected to expand their collaboration in research, innovation, and defence-related technologies.