Two of Europe’s most influential figures, European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, will descend on India from January 25 to 28, coinciding with advanced India-EU free trade talks. This strategic timing positions the visit as a potential turning point for one of the world’s largest trade partnerships.
Republic Day on January 26 sees them as chief guests, blending ceremonial pomp with substantive diplomacy. The highlight: co-chairing the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27, alongside audiences with President Droupadi Murmu and delegation-level parleys with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
Hyderabad House will host key sessions, with MEA’s XP Division streamlining approvals amid high demand. To accommodate media, physical attendance is capped, favoring wire services; visuals from official channels can be repurposed with attribution. Registration deadline: 10 AM, January 23 via Google Sheet.
The FTA, covering goods, services, and investments, promises to slash tariffs and open doors for Indian exports while drawing EU firms to India’s vibrant market. This visit not only accelerates negotiations but also reinforces collaborative fronts on climate action, tech standards, and security. Stakeholders from businesses to policymakers await outcomes that could propel bilateral trade beyond current $120 billion levels, heralding a prosperous era.