Prime Minister Narendra Modi held bilateral discussions with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in New Delhi ahead of the 16th India–EU Summit. The talks focused on strengthening strategic cooperation and finalizing key agreements to be signed during the summit.
Leaders reviewed progress on the India–EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA), emphasizing its role in boosting trade, investment, and innovation. PM Modi highlighted that the FTA reflects shared values of democracy, rule of law, and inclusive growth, while EU leaders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing negotiations towards a balanced outcome.
The discussions also covered the landmark Security & Defence Partnership, set to be signed during the summit, which will deepen cooperation in defence capabilities, counterterrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security. Both sides underscored the importance of collaboration in the Indo-Pacific region.
Clean energy, critical minerals, artificial intelligence, and quantum computing were identified as priority areas for future cooperation. Leaders agreed that these sectors will drive sustainable growth and technological innovation, strengthening the India–EU strategic partnership.
The bilateral talks set the stage for the India–EU Summit, with analysts noting that the outcomes will mark a significant upgrade in relations, shifting focus from economic cooperation to comprehensive strategic engagement.
