Successful India key to global stability: EU chief ahead of India EU Summit talks

A “successful India” is crucial to making the world more “stable, prosperous and secure”, European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said on Monday, as she attended India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations at Kartavia Bath as chief guest, along with European Council President Antonio Costa. This appearance was the first time that senior EU leaders were jointly participating in India’s Republic Day parade in this capacity.

Describing her participation as “the honor of a lifetime”, von der Leyen shared her message on social media, highlighting India’s growing global profile. “A successful India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure. We all benefit,” she wrote, emphasizing New Delhi’s growing role in global economic and strategic affairs.

The Republic Day function was attended by President Draupadi Murmu, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, members of the Union Cabinet, senior officials and foreign diplomats. The parade showcased India’s military strength, indigenous defense capabilities and cultural diversity, with a small EU military contingent also participating – reflecting the expansion of defense and security cooperation between India and the EU.

Von der Leyen is on a three-day visit to India and is scheduled to hold summit-level talks with Prime Minister Modi on Tuesday. Her visit coincides with the 16th summit between India and the European Union, where the two sides are expected to announce the conclusion of negotiations on the long-awaited free trade agreement. Ahead of the trip, von der Leyen described the proposed agreement as “historic”, saying it has the potential to fundamentally reshape economic ties between India and the 27-nation European bloc.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos last week, she said the deal would create a common market of nearly two billion people, accounting for nearly a quarter of global GDP. “There is still work to be done. But we are on the cusp of a historic trade agreement. Some call it the mother of all deals,” she said, noting that the agreement would give Europe a first-mover advantage in one of the world’s fastest-growing major economies.

India-EU summit schedule and engagements

India will host senior European Union leaders on Tuesday for formal talks and a series of high-level meetings in New Delhi. The visit highlights the growing strategic, economic and political partnership between India and the European Union amid an evolving global landscape.

The official program begins with a wreath-laying ceremony at Raj Ghat at 11:10 am, in honor of Mahatma Gandhi. This will be followed by a formal meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Hyderabad House at 11:30 am, where the leaders are expected to review progress in India-EU relations and discuss cooperation across trade, technology, climate action and global security. Joint press releases are scheduled to be issued at 1:15 pm at the same location.

Later in the day, President Ursula von der Leyen will attend a trade event at the Bharat Mandapam at 3:05 pm, highlighting the EU’s focus on strengthening trade ties and investment flows with India. She is also scheduled to pay a visit to the Vice President at 4:30 pm, followed by a meeting with the President of India at Rashtrapati Bhavan at 6:00 pm.

President von der Leyen is scheduled to leave New Delhi later in the evening, while President Antonio Costa is scheduled to depart on January 28, concluding summit commitments.

Trade relations between the European Union and India

The EU is currently India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods worth $135 billion in fiscal year 2023-24. Negotiations on a free trade agreement first began in 2007, were suspended in 2013, and then revived in 2022.

As part of the talks, India is said to be considering deep cuts in import duties on cars made in the EU, which could see tariffs reduced to 40 per cent from levels of up to 110 per cent. Under the proposal, tariffs on a limited number of luxury cars would be reduced immediately and then further reduced in phases, benefiting European automakers such as Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz and BMW.

European Council President Antonio Costa, who took office in December 2024, and von der Leyen are accompanied by a high-level delegation from the European Union. Their joint presence on Republic Day highlights the diplomatic weight of the visit and signals the EU’s intention to deepen its strategic partnership with India amid a changing global order.