In a landmark diplomatic move, the presidents of the European Council and Commission are heading to India for the 77th Republic Day festivities. Antonio Costa and Ursula von der Leyen will be chief guests from January 25-27, invited by PM Narendra Modi, as per the External Affairs Ministry’s Thursday update.
The itinerary is packed: co-chairing the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27, meetings with President Murmu, and detailed discussions with PM Modi at various levels. An India-EU Business Forum might also take place, injecting new energy into bilateral trade dialogues.
Since establishing strategic ties in 2004, India and the EU have navigated challenges together. The virtual 15th Summit in 2022 paved the way, and the EU Commissioners’ February 2025 visit supercharged relations across multiple domains.
This Republic Day participation by EU chiefs, coupled with the summit, is poised to deepen collaboration in priority areas, according to Foreign Ministry spokespersons. Meanwhile, momentum builds for an India-EU FTA. A January 10 statement reiterated commitments to a balanced agreement via open talks.
The Commerce Ministry highlighted recent ministerial huddles stressing the strategic need for a prompt, equitable FTA that mirrors common economic goals and WTO principles. Piyush Goyal’s Brussels trip was a game-changer—productive exchanges with Maros Sefcovic on sticky issues, with clear instructions for teams to accelerate closure.
Brussels dialogues showcased unwavering political determination for a sweeping trade deal. As fireworks light up Rajpath, this visit symbolizes converging paths: India’s rising global stature meets Europe’s quest for reliable partners. Expect announcements on green tech, digital economy, and supply chain resilience, heralding a new chapter in Indo-European synergy.
