New Delhi, 27 Feb: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by the European Union College of Commissioners, arrived in India on Thursday, on 27-28 February, for an official visit.
This marks the first visit of the entire EU College of Commissioners to India, underlining the deepening strategic partnership between the two sides.
Upon arrival in New Delhi, President von der Leyen received a warm welcome from Minister of State for Health & Family Welfare, Anupriya Patel. In a tweet following her arrival, she stated:
“Touchdown in Delhi with my team of Commissioners. In an era of conflicts and intense competition, you need trusted friends. For Europe, India is such a friend and a strategic ally. I’ll discuss with @narendramodi how to take our strategic partnership to the next level.”
President von der Leyen began her visit by paying homage to Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat.
The Minister of External Affairs, Dr S Jaishankar, met with European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi, emphasizing the commitment to strengthening India-EU relations. In a tweet, the minister stated: “Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen today in Delhi. Appreciate her thoughts on reenergizing India’s engagement with Europe. The wide-ranging participation of Indian Ministers and EU College of Commissioners during this visit stands testimony to the importance we place on deeper India-EU ties.” The meeting highlighted key areas of collaboration, underscoring the growing strategic partnership between India and the European Union.
She is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday morning to discuss a broad range of issues, including trade, investment, climate change, digital transformation, and global security.
India-EU relations are built on shared values such as democracy, the rule of law, and a commitment to a rules-based international order. Diplomatic ties date back to the early 1960s, with India being among the first nations to establish relations with the European Economic Community in 1962. The partnership has evolved significantly over the decades, with the 2004 India-EU Summit elevating ties to a ‘Strategic Partnership’ level.
The India-EU Strategic Partnership is guided by the ‘India-EU Roadmap to 2025,’ which emphasizes deeper collaboration in trade, technology, and geopolitics. Following the European Parliamentary elections in 2024, high-level engagements have continued, including interactions between PM Modi and EU leaders at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro (2024), the G7 meeting in Hiroshima (2023), and COP28 in Dubai (2023).
Economic Cooperation: Strengthening Trade and Investment
The EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade in FY 2023-24 reaching $135 billion. Services trade also hit a record $53 billion, highlighting the growing economic interdependence. European investments in India amount to over $117 billion, with nearly 6,000 European companies operating in the country.
Negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement and an agreement on Geographical Indications have resumed, signalling a renewed commitment to fostering economic ties. The India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC), established in 2022, plays a pivotal role in tackling emerging challenges in trade, technology, and security.
Collaborations in Energy, Security, and Climate Action
India and the EU continue to collaborate on energy security, digital transformation, and sustainability. The India-EU Clean Energy and Climate Partnership focuses on renewable energy, green hydrogen, and methane reduction. The EU is a partner of the International Solar Alliance and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), reinforcing its commitment to climate resilience.
In maritime security, both sides have conducted joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Guinea and the Gulf of Aden, demonstrating a growing security partnership in the Indo-Pacific. The EU joined the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative in 2023, further deepening its engagement in regional security.
Scientific and technological collaboration between India and the EU spans space exploration, nuclear research, and digital innovation. India has been an associate member of CERN since 2017, and both sides are involved in the construction of the ITER fusion reactor. The European Space Agency (ESA) successfully launched the Proba-3 mission using ISRO’s PSLV-XL in December 2024, marking another milestone in space cooperation.
Cultural and educational ties also remain strong, with regular parliamentary exchanges and mobility programs enhancing people-to-people connections.
