Archive · 26 Jan 2026
India-EU Summit Focuses on Trade Deal
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, and the European Council chief, António Costa, are visiting India.
They will be the special guests at India's Republic Day parade on Monday.
On Tuesday, they will meet with India's Prime Minister, Narendra Modi, to talk about a big trade deal called the Free Trade Agreement (FTA).
This deal is very important and is called the 'mother of all deals.'
The FTA could make it easier and cheaper to buy and sell things between India and Europe.
It might also help India sell more cars and electric vehicles to Europe.
Both sides want to work together better on trade, security, and clean energy.
The deal could help India sell more things to Europe, like clothes and jewelry, and make it easier for Indian workers to go to Europe.
Europe also wants to buy more things from India and reduce their dependence on China.
Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, arrived in New Delhi on Saturday for talks on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with India.
António Costa, European Council chief, will arrive on Sunday, and both leaders will co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday.
The EU leaders are also the chief guests for the Republic Day parade on Monday, which will showcase India's development journey, cultural diversity, and military might.
The FTA is expected to reduce import duties on automobiles, including electric vehicles (EVs), from the EU to 10-15%, potentially boosting European luxury EV sales in India.
The summit will focus on closer cooperation in key areas such as trade, security, defence, clean energy, and people-to-people links, with a major outcome being progress towards finalising the FTA.
- Who
- Ursula von der Leyen, António Costa, and Kaja Kallas from the EU; Narendra Modi and Jitin Prasada from India
- What
- Discussions on a proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA), participation in the Republic Day parade, and the 16th India-EU Summit
- When
- Saturday (von der Leyen's arrival), Sunday (Costa's arrival), Monday (Republic Day parade), Tuesday (India-EU Summit)
- Where
- New Delhi, India
- Why
- To strengthen India-EU strategic partnership, finalize the FTA, and deepen cooperation in trade, security, and clean energy
India
EU
Trade Agreement
India
India seeks reduced tariffs on textiles and easier access for skilled workers to the EU.
EU
The EU aims to lower import duties on automobiles, including electric vehicles, to boost European sales in India.
Security and Defence
India
India wants a stronger EU position on China and Pakistan.
EU
The EU seeks to enhance security and defence cooperation with India, including joint naval exercises and a partnership agreement.
Human Rights
India
India has been cautious about public discussions on its human rights record.
EU
The EU has raised concerns about India's human rights record in private discussions.
- Primary Visitor
- Ursula von der Leyen (President of the European Commission)
- Secondary Visitor
- António Costa (European Council chief)
- Event
- 16th India-EU Summit and Republic Day Parade
- Trade Agreement
- Proposed Free Trade Agreement (FTA)
- Host Country
- India
- Host
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Reception
- Jitin Prasada (Minister of State for Commerce and Industry)
- Bilateral Trade
- $136 billion in 2024-25
- EU Tariffs on Indian Textiles
- Around 10%
- Import Duty on European Automobiles
- Around 100% for vehicles above $40,000
- Expected Import Duty Post-FTA
- 10-15% on automobiles
- Indian Diaspora in EU
- Approximately 1.36 million individuals
- EU Blue Cards to Indians
- Nearly 20.8% of cards issued in 2024
Sources
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