India and the European Union will push to finalize a free-trade agreement this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Friday.
In a keynote speech during her two-day visit to New Delhi, von der Leyen said a closer alliance with India would be “a cornerstone of Europe’s policy in the years and decades to come,” built on enhanced cooperation on trade, technology, security and defense.
“A free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the largest deal of this kind anywhere in the world. I am well aware it will not be easy. But I also know that timing and determination counts, and that this partnership comes at the right moment for both of us,” von der Leyen said after talks with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“This is why we have agreed with Prime Minister Modi to push to get it done during this year. And you can count on my full commitment to make sure we can deliver.”
Von der Leyen is leading the new Commission’s first visit to India, as the EU seeks to keep New Delhi onside amid rising geopolitical tensions with the United States and China.
India and the EU resumed talks on a free trade agreement in 2021 after talks collapsed in 2013. While progress has been slow since then, both sides now appear determined to strengthen ties to counter America’s tariff threats and China’s assertive trade practices.
Commission officials also joined their Indian counterparts for a second Trade and Technology Council on Friday, where they are expected to discuss cooperation on electric vehicle standards, artificial intelligence, semiconductors and telecommunications.
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