Prime Minister Narendra Modi and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reaffirmed their commitment to deepening India-EU relations, as the European Union unveiled a New Strategic EU-India Agenda on Wednesday. The announcement coincided with PM Modi’s 75th birthday, for which von der Leyen extended warm wishes during a phone call.

PM Modi welcomed the new agenda and stressed India’s readiness to take ties with the EU “to the next level,” highlighting the shared goal of concluding Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations before the year’s end. He also reiterated India’s commitment to an “early and peaceful resolution” of the Ukraine conflict and invited von der Leyen for the next India-EU Summit in 2026.

Von der Leyen emphasised that the EU’s strategy focuses on advancing trade, investment, and talent mobility while strengthening defence and industrial cooperation. She noted, “Europe is already India’s biggest trading partner, and we are committed to finalising our FTA by year-end. Now is the time to double down on partnerships rooted in common values.”

The EU’s Joint Communication outlines five priority areas: boosting trade and investment, enhancing security and defence cooperation, advancing digital and tech partnerships, supporting the clean energy transition, and promoting skills and mobility. It also highlights collaboration on global supply chains, maritime security, cybersecurity, counterterrorism, and the Indo-Pacific.

Strategic projects such as the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC), green hydrogen development, and a proposed EU-India Startup partnership are central to the agenda. Additionally, the EU invited India to join the Horizon Europe research program and expand trilateral cooperation under the Global Gateway initiative.

Officials described the agenda as a “turning point” in India-EU relations, underscoring its importance amid shifting geopolitical dynamics.