Europe at centre of India’s next round of diplomatic trysts

Europe will be in sharp focus in India’s diplomatic calendar over the next few weeks, with high-profile visits expected by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, European Union (EU) leaders Ursula von der Leyen and Antonio Costa and French President Emmanuel Macron, people familiar with the matter said.

- Rezaul H Laskar

The visits will come at a time when India and the EU are engaged in hectic negotiations to finalise a much-anticipated free trade agreement (FTA) and India is contending with a dramatic downslide in its relations with the US over the Trump administration's trade and tariff policies. Several key EU members are also looking to bolster their relations with India amid their intense competition with China.