India and the European Union on Thursday renewed their pledge to secure an early conclusion to the long-pending free trade agreement, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi speaking jointly to European Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.
The three leaders, in a phone call, emphasised that the proposed pact was central to strengthening economic ties and enhancing supply chain resilience between India and the EU. They welcomed the recent progress across key areas including trade, technology, investment, sustainability, defence and innovation, according to an official Indian readout.
Modi underlined the importance of the India-EU strategic partnership in “jointly addressing global issues and promoting a rules-based order for mutual prosperity.”
Also read: India, UK to sign free trade agreement in London on Thursday
He also extended an invitation to Costa and von der Leyen to attend the next India-EU summit in New Delhi, which they agreed should be held at the earliest opportunity.
The leaders further exchanged views on pressing regional and international challenges. They discussed the conflict in Ukraine, with Modi reiterating “India’s consistent support for peaceful resolution of the conflict and early restoration of peace and stability.”
India and the EU have been negotiating the trade pact intermittently since 2007, with talks gaining fresh momentum in recent years as both sides seek closer economic and political alignment in an increasingly turbulent global order.
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