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EU and India aim to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of 2025

by AI | 02.Mar 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The European Union and India want to conclude a free trade agreement by the end of this year. This was announced by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Friday in New Delhi. It was also agreed to work closely together in the areas of technology, innovation, green growth, and security.

Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. (Photo: Dati Bendo/European Commission/dpa)

NEW DELHI (ANP) – Von der Leyen said that now “more than ever” the geopolitical situation calls for cooperation with “partners we trust.” According to her, this will avoid “harmful dependencies.” The EU wants to “build robust supply chains, such as in the field of semiconductors,” she added.

The European Union is focusing on diversifying trade policy by working on free trade agreements with other countries and regions such as in South America.

In terms of security and defense as well, the EU and India see opportunities for cooperation. “India is looking for diversification of its military supply and access to new capabilities. Europe is doing the same,” said Von der Leyen.

Now that the US says Europe must take charge of its own security, there are intense discussions within the EU on how this should be arranged. Europe also wants to provide security guarantees to Ukraine once there is a peace agreement. This requires a lot of military equipment.

Technology is a third important pillar of the future cooperation between the EU and India, said Von der Leyen and Modi. Among other things, they want to collaborate more on research and development and the production of semiconductors and 6G.

Virtually the entire European Commission has been in India since Thursday, the first foreign visit since the new Commission took office in December.

(February 28, 2025)