New Delhi [India], January 27 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi met President of the European Council, Antonio Luis Santos da Costa and President of the European Commission, Ursula Von Der Leyen right here within the nationwide capital on Tuesday.
The leaders displayed the spirit of bonhomie as they met on the Hyderabad House.
Earlier, the EU leaders paid tribute to the Father of the Nation, Mahatma Gandhi, by laying a wreath at his memorial in Raj Ghat, as a part of their state go to to India.
The ceremony, held within the presence of senior Indian officers, was a part of their ongoing state go to and coincided with the sixteenth India-EU Summit in New Delhi, which might be co-hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
The European leaders additionally signed the guestbook on the memorial website after the wreath-laying ceremony andpaying floral tribute to the Mahatma.
The go to comes at a time when each side have concluded their dialogue of a free commerce settlement, which is anticipated to strengthen their shared dedication to democracy and the rule of legislation.
On Tuesday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi hailed the India-EU Free Trade Agreement, reiterating it because the ‘Mother of all offers’ and the way it illustrates the partnership between two main economies of the world. The deal turns into vital because it hyperlinks two main economies that command 1 / 4 of the world’s GDP.
PM Modi made the remarks whereas nearly addressing the Opening Ceremony of India Energy Week 2026.
He added that the free commerce settlement with the EU will complement present agreements with the United Kingdom and members of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).
Extending his congratulations to these related to completely different sectors, the Prime Minister mentioned the settlement can be extremely helpful for trade stakeholders. He added that the commerce deal would have a optimistic impression on each manufacturing and providers within the nation.
Emphasising the broader world impression, PM Modi mentioned the FTA would enhance world confidence in India. ‘This Free Trade Agreement will additional strengthen world confidence in India for companies and traders the world over,’ he mentioned, including that India is actively engaged on world partnerships throughout all sectors.
On Monday, the negotiations for the ‘Mother of all offers’, because it has been known as, concluded efficiently and might be introduced right now through the India-EU summit.
Earlier right now, India and the European Union additionally inked the safety and defence partnership right here within the nationwide capital.
European Union Vice President Kaja Kallas mentioned on the event, ‘The signing of the Security and Defence Partnership is a milestone, and we are able to construct on that. There is a lot extra we are able to work collectively on within the multilateral fora, in addition to bilaterally, to additional develop defence cooperation.’
With the signing of the deal, India turns into the third Asian nation to have such a take care of the EU after Japan and South Korea.
Speaking on the upcoming deal, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen mentioned, ‘India and Europe have made a transparent selection. The selection of strategic partnership, dialogue and openness. Leveraging our complementary strengths. And constructing mutual resilience. We are exhibiting a fractured world that one other means is feasible.
‘European Council President Antonio Costa echoed that thought saying, ‘India is an important accomplice for the EU. Together, we share the capability and duty to guard the rules-based worldwide order. ‘In commerce in items, the EU is India’s second-largest buying and selling accomplice, proper after China and forward of the United States, accounting for 11.5 per cent of India’s complete items commerce. (ANI)