The stage is set in New Delhi for the 16th EU-India Summit on January 27, with PM Modi at the helm welcoming EU Council chief Antonio Costa and Commission President Ursula von der Leyen. This conclave represents a cornerstone in elevating bilateral strategic ties to new heights.
Costa’s remarks framed India as an indispensable EU ally in preserving a rule-bound global framework—a sentiment echoed in the summit’s expansive agenda. Opportunities abound to fortify partnerships in commerce, defense, sustainable energy shifts, and cultural exchanges.
Marking the occasion, the duo will attend India’s 77th Republic Day festivities on January 26 as honored guests, blending tradition with diplomacy. A landmark outcome could be the endorsement of a Comprehensive Strategic Agenda, delineated by four pillars encompassing prosperity, technological advancement, security enhancements, and global connectivity.
The FTA talks, dormant since their 2022 relaunch from 2007 roots, might reach closure, galvanizing trade and investment corridors. Defense and security cooperation takes precedence, alongside deliberations on multilateral efficacy, Indo-Pacific openness, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and Middle Eastern flashpoints.
As geopolitical winds shift, this summit reaffirms EU-India solidarity, paving pathways for joint action that resonates far beyond bilateral borders.