EU Chief Leads Team for Trade Deal Talks

Negotiations between India and the European Union (EU) on a trade deal, including tariff and non-tariff barriers, and the creation of a bilateral strategic agenda will be in focus during European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen's visit to New Delhi this week.

- Rezaul H. Laskar

President Ursula von der Leyen and 21 members of the EU College of Commissioners, or political leaders of the 27 member states, are traveling to India during 27-28 February for meetings with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his government.

The second ministerial meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council (TTC) will also be held during the visit.

PM Modi and President von der Leyen are expected to review the negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA), which the two sides resumed in 2022 after a gap of almost a decade.

The two sides will also seek to advance cooperation in defence and security, including in the Indo-Pacific region, a senior EU official told a media briefing on Tuesday.