EU Leaders In India For Summit With PM Modi: FTA And Mobility Talks Take Center Stage

India is set to host the 16th India-EU Summit in New Delhi, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi welcoming top EU leaders. The summit comes at a crucial time as both sides aim to advance negotiations on the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement and finalize a framework on mobility. The leaders will also participate as chief guests in Republic Day celebrations, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between India and the European Union.  

Key Highlights  

• European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in New Delhi on January 24, welcomed by Union Minister Jitin Prasada  
• European Council President António Costa to join ahead of the summit on January 27  
• FTA negotiations expected to be a major agenda item, with hopes of progress toward conclusion  
• Mobility framework to cover students, researchers, seasonal workers, and highly skilled professionals  
• Other areas of cooperation include defence, clean energy, technology, and people-to-people ties  
• EU leaders to serve as chief guests at Republic Day parade, highlighting symbolic importance of the visit  

Future Outlook  
The summit is expected to deepen India-EU relations, with trade and mobility agreements opening new opportunities for India’s youth while strengthening Europe’s engagement with Asia’s fastest-growing economy.  

Sources: The Hindu, The Indian Express, Moneycontrol