EU-India: Beyond the deal, a stabilising global force

Whether in terms of symbolism, of outcomes, or of strategic significance, the visit of the President of the European Council, Anténio Costa, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to India —on the occasion of Republic Day and for the 16th India-EU Summit — was nothing short of historic.

- Hervé Delphin

The camaraderie between Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi and the two presidents had a particular personal resonance: President Costa proudly recalled his family ties with India as he pulled out of his pocket his Overseas Citizenship of India card at the summit statements. President von der Leyen showed her fondness for Indian culture through her sartorial choice of bandhgala, zari, and bandhani scarf, honouring Indian handloom design and designers.

The Indian textile industry — indeed, all Indian citizens — now have another reason to cheer EU-India ties: The conclusion of the negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between the EU and India and the memorandum on mobility signed by both sides will bring our economies and people closer, leading toa “new era of shared prosperity’, as highlighted by PM Modi.