VOI World/ Desk
India-EU trade pact negotiations gathered fresh momentum as PM Modi and top European Union leaders agreed to expedite the signing and implementation of a long-awaited free trade agreement by the end of 2026.
PM Modi met European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in France. The leaders reviewed progress made since their January summit in New Delhi, where both sides concluded negotiations on what has been described as the “mother of all deals”.
The leaders stressed the need for swift signing and implementation of the agreement, which is expected to deepen economic ties, strengthen supply chains and boost investment opportunities. According to officials, the pact could account for nearly a quarter of global GDP and significantly reduce tariffs on both sides.
European Commission President von der Leyen said India and the EU remained committed to signing the agreement by the end of the year and would accelerate work on a separate investment agreement. She also announced plans to step up security and defence cooperation and advance connectivity projects under the India-Middle East-Europe Corridor (IMEC).
PM Modi said the two sides discussed ways to deepen economic linkages and noted that growing cooperation between India and the EU could contribute to global peace, stability and prosperity. Both sides also reaffirmed their commitment to a resilient multipolar order and welcomed recent developments in West Asia.
The leaders reviewed cooperation in areas including trade, investment, defence, technology, education, mobility and sustainable development. They also welcomed the signing of a defence industrial cooperation roadmap and progress on easing transit visa requirements for Indian nationals.
The India-EU trade pact is expected to become one of the largest trade agreements in the world and marks a major step in strengthening strategic ties between India and Europe.
