Smita Mishra 
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, accompanied by top European leadership, is set to visit India from February 27 to 28. This historic visit marks one of the first by the College of Commissioners early in the new mandate, highlighting the strong momentum in EU-India relations.
The visit is a testament to the growing partnership between the EU and India, with a focus on strengthening ties in key areas vital to the prosperity and security of both Europe and India. During her visit, President von der Leyen will hold a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, followed by a press point.
The EU delegation emphasized that this visit is a significant step in deepening the EU-India strategic partnership. “In this era of intense geostrategic competition, Europe stands for openness, partnership, and outreach. We seek to deepen ties with one of our most trusted friends and ally — India,” President von der Leyen stated.
The visit will also include a plenary session chaired by President von der Leyen and Prime Minister Modi, where the College of Commissioners and the Indian government will discuss key areas of cooperation. Additionally, members of the College will meet their counterparts individually to further strengthen bilateral ties.
President von der Leyen’s visit follows her announcement of a new strategic agenda with India, which will be presented at the EU-India Summit later this year. The agenda aims to advance trade, economic security, and resilient supply chains, along with a common tech agenda and reinforced security and defense cooperation.
The EU and India have been working closely together in various areas, including trade, energy, and climate change. The EU is India’s third-largest trading partner and second-largest export destination. The two sides have also been cooperating on issues like counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security.
During her visit, President von der Leyen will also emphasize the importance of strengthening people-to-people ties between the EU and India. She will engage with Indian civil society, academia, and the private sector to promote greater understanding and cooperation between the two sides.
The visit is expected to further boost EU-India relations, which have been on an upward trajectory in recent years. The two sides have been working together on various global challenges, including climate change, pandemics, and economic inequality.
As President von der Leyen noted, “Europe and India are like-minded partners, bound by the shared conviction that democracy best serves the people. That’s why one of the first visits of the new Commission is to India”.
The visit will undoubtedly mark a significant milestone in EU-India relations, paving the way for greater cooperation and collaboration between the two sides in the years to come.
In recent years, the EU and India have made significant progress in strengthening their partnership. The two sides have established a strategic partnership that covers a wide range of areas, including trade, energy, climate change, and security.
One of the key areas of cooperation between the EU and India is trade. The EU is India’s largest trading partner, accounting for over 12% of India’s total trade. The two sides have been negotiating a free trade agreement, which is expected to boost bilateral trade significantly.
Energy is another key area of cooperation between the EU and India. The EU has been supporting India’s efforts to transition to a low-carbon economy, with a focus on renewable energy and energy efficiency. The two sides have also been cooperating on issues like energy security and climate change.
Climate change is a major global challenge that requires international cooperation. The EU and India have been working together to address this challenge, with a focus on reducing greenhouse gas emissions and promoting sustainable development.
Security is another key area of cooperation between the EU and India. The two sides have been working together to address common security challenges, including counter-terrorism, cybersecurity, and maritime security.
The EU and India have also been cooperating on issues like migration, human rights, and development. The two sides have been working together to address the root causes of migration, promote human rights, and support sustainable development.
The visit of President von der Leyen to India is a significant step forward in strengthening EU-India relations. The two sides have a lot to offer each other, and the visit is expected to pave the way for greater cooperation and collaboration in the years to come.
As the EU and India continue to work together on various global challenges, the visit of President von der Leyen to India is a testament to the growing partnership between the two sides. The visit is expected to further boost EU-India relations, paving the way for greater cooperation and collaboration in the years to come.
The EU and India have a lot to gain from each other, and the visit of President von der Leyen to India is a significant step forward in strengthening their partnership. As the two sides continue to work together on various global challenges, the visit is expected to pave the way for greater cooperation and collaboration in the years to come.
The visit of President von der Leyen to India is a significant milestone in EU-India relations. It marks a new chapter in the strategic partnership between the two sides, and is expected to strengthen bilateral ties, promote trade and investment, and address global challenges.
