European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will attend India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations as chief guests, with New Delhi and Brussels expected to seal a long-pending free trade agreement during summit talks on January 27.
The three-day state visit from January 25 comes at a time of global economic uncertainty, with both sides seeking to deepen strategic alignment amid growing concerns over trade disruptions linked to Washington’s tariff policies.
At the invitation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Costa and von der Leyen will travel to New Delhi and co-chair the 16th India-EU Summit on January 27, the Ministry of External Affairs said on Thursday.
Top official sources indicated that the summit could culminate in the conclusion of the proposed free trade agreement, a move expected to bring a qualitative shift in bilateral economic engagement across multiple sectors.
The European Union is India’s largest trading partner, with bilateral trade in goods touching $135 billion in the 2023-24 financial year. The agreement is expected to significantly enhance trade flows and investment ties.
Besides finalising the trade pact, the two sides are likely to unveil a defence framework agreement and adopt a new strategic agenda outlining cooperation priorities for the coming years.
India and the European Union have been strategic partners since 2004. The previous India-EU Summit was held virtually in July 2020.
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“Bilateral ties have expanded and deepened across a wide range of areas, particularly following the historic visit of EU College of Commissioners to India in February 2025,” the ministry said in a statement.
“The participation of EU leaders as Chief Guests at the 77th Republic Day and the 16th India-EU Summit will further deepen the India-EU Strategic Partnership and advance collaboration in priority areas of mutual interest,” it said.
According to officials, the new strategic agenda identifies five core pillars of cooperation, security and defence, connectivity and global issues, prosperity, sustainability, and technology and innovation.
Beyond bilateral engagement, the document underlines joint India–EU action on global challenges and cooperation with third countries, reflecting India’s expanding global role.
Under the defence pillar, maritime security, cyber defence and counterterrorism have been identified as key areas for enhanced cooperation.
The agenda also stresses strengthening regional connectivity initiatives such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor, alongside the EU’s Global Gateway and trilateral partnerships involving India.
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