In a move that could redefine international commerce, Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, landed in India’s capital on Saturday amid soaring expectations for the EU-India Free Trade Agreement. Her 34-second X video captured the excitement: plenty of work remains, but a landmark deal is within reach—one dubbed the ‘mother of all deals’ for linking two billion people and a quarter of global GDP.
Von der Leyen highlighted Europe’s ambition to partner with economic hotspots across continents, from Latin America through the Indo-Pacific, affirming mutual selection in a competitive world. Greeted by Minister Jitin Prasada, the trip follows her Davos pitch on securing Europe’s lead in rapidly expanding markets.
Come January 27, the India-EU Summit is primed for FTA finalization, with sources confirming a concluding document and impending approvals from European legislative arms. The package extends to a security-defense alliance and easier EU job access for Indian professionals.
As India’s premier export hub, the 27-member EU bloc’s inclusion of goods and services elevates this to New Delhi’s grandest trade milestone. This pact not only promises economic synergy but also strategic alignment, fortifying ties in an era of geopolitical flux.