Ursula von der Leyen arrived in New Delhi on Saturday, her visit spotlighting the near-completion of the eagerly awaited EU-India Free Trade Agreement. Via a succinct video on X, the European Commission head shared her thrill, calling it the ‘mother of all trade deals’ that will merge markets for two billion souls—commanding almost one-fourth of planetary GDP.
‘I’m heading to India. Much work ahead, but we’re close to a historic agreement,’ she noted, framing Europe’s outreach to growth engines like the Indo-Pacific as a two-way choice. Minister Jitin Prasada received her, building on Davos discussions where she stressed Europe’s pioneering benefits in Asia’s vibrant economy.
Expectations peak for the January 27 summit, where talks are slated to wrap with a formal document, followed by EU parliamentary and council nods. On deck: a defense-security accord and boosted mobility for Indians in EU job markets.
Encompassing trade in goods and services with India’s vital EU partner—27 nations strong—this emerges as India’s most expansive deal, set to catalyze investments, exports, and collaborative innovation for decades ahead.