The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, will make an official visit to India on February 27 and 28, during the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Accompanied by the college of European Union commissioners, Ursula von der Leyen visits New Delhi, ten days before the start of the next series of negotiations on the EU free trade agreement in India.
The Ministry of External Affairs said it will be the first visit to the college of EU commissioners in India and among the first visit of this type since the start of the current European Commission in December 2024.
Leyen to meet Zelenskyy before his arrival
Interestingly, three days before his arrival in India, President Leyen should meet President Zelenskyy in kyiv and co -president of the college meeting on government on February 24.
Leyen also met the Ukrainian president on the sidelines of the recently finished Munich security conference.
It remains to be seen whether the president of the European Commission will exchange his opinions on Ukraine with Indian management.
Timing of the visit
Leyen’s visit was scheduled for a fortnight before the next series of negotiations on the EU free trade agreement in Brussels from March 10 to 15.
His third visit to India takes place at a time when India and the EU entered the third decade of the strategic partnership.
She visited India for a bilateral official visit in April 2022.
The following year, Leyen visited India to attend the Summit of G 20 leaders in September.
Role of the European Commission
Founded in 1958, the European Commission is the politically independent executive branch of the EU.
The Commission is the most powerful institution in the European Union of 27 members.
He is solely responsible for the development of proposals for new European laws, and he implements the decisions of the European Parliament and the EU Council.
He speaks on behalf of all EU countries in international organizations, in particular in the fields of commercial policy and humanitarian aid.
The European Commission also negotiates international agreements for the EU.
Leyen’s position on Ukraine
In particular, Leyen spoke in favor of Ukraine.
In his opening speech during the recently concluded Munich security conference, Leyen warned that a failed Ukraine would weaken Europe and also weaken the United States, while encouraging authoritarian leaders in the world without consequences.
Leyen said: “This is precisely why Europe has committed to supporting Ukraine. He provided more than 134 billion euros, more than anyone – and this includes $ 52 billion in military aid, tied with the United States. »»
The president of the European Commission said: “The EU imposed unprecedented sanctions with regard to Russia, it got rid of its energy dependence, and it will strive to accelerate the accession process of Ukraine. “
She congratulated the approach of President Volodymyr Zelenskyy from the constant work to peace.
Meeting with Zelenskyy on the margins of the conference
On the sidelines of the conference, President Von Der Leyen and the president of the European Council, António Costa, met President Zelenskyy and reiterated the EU’s commitment to Ukraine and his willingness to put Ukraine in a Strength position before any future negotiation.
Commitments to India
Prime Minister Modi will also hold talks at the level of the delegation with President Leyen.
The second ministerial meeting of the EU-EU Commerce and Technology Council and bilateral ministerial meetings between European commissioners and their Indian counterparts will also be held during the visit.
The MEA is optimistic that the visit of Leyen and the college of EU commissioners will open the way to a more strengthening of bilateral links based on increasing convergences.
India Ue Trade and Technology Council
The Commerce and Technology Council (TTC) was launched by Prime Minister Modi and the president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen during his visit to India in April 2022.
The TTC aims to ensure political leadership and guarantee strategic concentration in the partnership.
It allows both parties to respond to contemporary developments, to encourage resilient and reliable supply chains and to promote digital confidence and transparency.
The two parties have established three working groups under TTC.
The Council has working groups on strategic technologies, digital governance and digital connectivity, green and clean energy technologies and trade channels, investment and resilient value.
First meeting of the Council of India – EU Trade and Technology
The Minister of External Affairs, S. Jaishankar, Minister of Commerce and Industry (CIM) Piyush Goyal and Minister of State for Electronics and Information Technologies (MOS), Rajeev Chandrasekhar, S ‘ is returned to Brussels on May 15 to 16, 2023 to jointly co – chairs the first ministerial meeting of India – EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) The May 16.
At that time, the three ministers of India jointly knew the president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen and had complete discussions on India – bilateral EU questions covering trade, economy , security and strategic issues.
They agreed to make TTC a platform to guide the relationship to deal with new geopolitical challenges and detest the global economy.
The two parties had in-depth discussions on a range of questions, including semiconductors, high performance IT, digital public infrastructure, clean energy technologies and the resilience of the supply chain.
The ministers also exchanged points of view on important strategic issues such as economic security and the promotion of connectivity projects in the third geographies, in particular by agreeing to identify joint implementation projects
Modi wishing to strengthen the strategic partnership of EU India
Prime Minister Modi and Ursula von der Leyen regularly gathered on the sidelines of multilateral meetings.
On July 19 of last year, Prime Minister Modi congratulated Ursula von der Leyen for having been re -elected president of the European Commission.
Prime Minister Modi wrote that he is looking forward to working together to strengthen India’s strategic partnership for Global Good.
Links between India and the EU
India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004.
The bilateral links between India and the EU have widened and deepened in a wide range of areas.
The EU is the largest trading partner in India, with a trade in goods worth 124 billion euros in 2023, with an increase of almost 90% in the last decade.
About 6,000 European companies are present in India, directly providing 1.7 million jobs and indirectly supporting 5 million jobs in various sectors.
The new Federation of European Affairs in India (February) will help stimulate business links.
The EU and India resumed negotiations on a free trade agreement in 2022 following the visit of President Von Der Leyen to New Delhi.
The next round is scheduled in Brussels in the coming month.
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