New Delhi – The president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, said on Friday that the EU and India had agreed to push to conclude a free trade agreement for a long time and that the two parties will strengthen their partnership in the fields of trade, technology, connectivity and defense.
“It is time to be pragmatic and ambitious. And to realign our priorities for today’s realities, “said Von Der Leyen during an address to a reflection group in New Delhi. His remarks were before his meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
“You can count on my full commitment to ensure that we can deliver,” she said, adding that “the free trade agreement between the EU and India would be the greatest understanding of this type all over the world.”
The head of the European Commission is in India during a two -day visit from Thursday and is accompanied by the main leaders of the EU member countries.
India and the EU have relaunched discussions on a free trade agreement for a long time in 2021, but problems such as market access for products such as cars and alcoholic drinks have stuck points. The next series of negotiations is expected to take place in March.
India and the EU cooperate closely on issues such as foreign, security and technology policy. But Brussels increases efforts to finalize the free trade agreement with New Delhi in the face of potential American rates. US President Donald Trump said he was planning to strike goods made in the EU with 25%prices.
The EU is the largest trading partner in India, ahead of the United States and China. In 2023-24, the exercise, exports and imports to the European block represented more than $ 130 billion, marking an increase of approximately 90% in the last decade. More than 6,000 European companies are also present in India.
Von der Leyen said the EU and India have the potential to be one of the decisive partnerships of this century.
“I want this visit to be the start of this new era. Prime Minister Modi and I share the same point of view. It is time to bring our EU-Indian strategic partnership to the next level, “she said.
For New Delhi, commercial talks have renewed importance after Trump’s decision to impose reciprocal prices on goods imported from countries, including India.
Last year, India signed a trade agreement with Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, which include the European Free Trade Association, which includes a commitment of $ 100 billion in investments. Investments should be made in all sectors, including pharmaceuticals, machines and manufacturing.
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