Pleased to call on @EU_Commission President @vonderleyen today in Delhi.
Appreciate her thoughts on reenergizing India’s engagement with Europe.The wide ranging participation of Indian Ministers and EU College of Commissioners during this visit stands testimony to the… pic.twitter.com/Jmpd5LFOg1– Dr. S. jaishankar (@drsjaishankar) February 27, 2025
The visit comes at a crucial time as India and the EU seek to advance trade, investment, and clean energy partnerships. Von der Leyen, who was received at the airport by Minister of State for Health and Family Welfare Anupriya Patel, is set to hold extensive talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday.
Their discussions are expected to focus on finalising a new strategic agenda aimed at deepening cooperation in key areas, including the ongoing negotiations for a free trade agreement.
The EU is looking to expand its trade ties with India as part of its broader strategy to reduce economic dependence on China. An EU official indicated that the bloc is likely to urge India to lower tariffs on cars, wine, and agricultural products.
As the visit coincides with the third anniversary of the war in Ukraine, von der Leyen is also expected to call on India to support the effective implementation of Western sanctions against Russia. In addition, the EU is keen to enhance defence and security collaboration with India, particularly in the Indo-Pacific, amid rising tensions over China’s military activities in the region.
Another key focus of the visit is the India-EU Connectivity Partnership, launched in 2021, which aims to boost connectivity projects between the two regions and beyond. This aligns with last year’s signing of a memorandum of understanding (MoU) between India, the EU, and key global partners—including France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the US—to develop the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC).
India and the EU share robust economic ties. In the financial year 2023-24, bilateral trade in goods reached $135 billion, with India’s exports to the EU amounting to $76 billion and imports standing at $59 billion. Trade in services was valued at $53 billion, with Indian exports at $30 billion and imports at $23 billion.
The EU remains India’s largest trading partner in goods, while European investments in India exceed $117 billion, with around 6,000 EU companies operating in the country. Indian investments in the EU are valued at around $40 billion.
Von der Leyen’s visit is expected to lay the groundwork for the upcoming India-EU summit, scheduled for the second half of the year in India, where both sides aim to finalise their strategic roadmap for deeper collaboration.
