In a significant diplomatic milestone, the 16th EU-India Summit kicks off in New Delhi on January 27, hosted by PM Narendra Modi. European heavyweights Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen lead the EU delegation, signaling robust momentum in Indo-European relations.

‘India is a vital partner for the EU,’ Costa declared, stressing shared responsibilities in safeguarding international norms. This rendezvous builds on years of strategic collaboration, aiming to intensify cooperation in trade, defense, green transitions, and interpersonal links.

The Republic Day parade on January 26 will feature the EU leaders as chief guests, adding ceremonial flair to the visit. At the summit’s core lies a proposed Joint EU-India Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, anchored in four robust pillars that promise enhanced synergy.

From driving prosperity and stability to pioneering tech innovations, fortifying defense postures, and tackling connectivity and global governance, the agenda is ambitious. Negotiators may seal the long-awaited FTA, a pact revived in 2022 after origins in 2007, poised to unlock new trade avenues and investment flows.

Beyond economics, the dialogue will probe defense alignments and security pacts. Regional dynamics, effective multilateral systems, an open Indo-Pacific, the ongoing Ukraine war, and Middle East volatility will dominate conversations, positioning EU and India as aligned forces for stability.