“India Makes The World Safer And Stronger,” Says EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen As Historic Trade Deal Nears

Delhi: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has strongly praised India’s global role, calling the country a key force for stability, growth and security, as momentum builds toward a long-awaited trade agreement between India and the European Union. Her remarks came alongside the 77th Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, where she attended as one of the chief guests.

Sharing visuals from the grand parade at Kartavya Path, von der Leyen said that India’s progress has a positive impact far beyond its borders. “India makes the world more stable, prosperous and secure,” she said, adding that a successful India benefits the global economy and international order as a whole. She described her presence at the Republic Day ceremony as a rare and memorable experience, calling it a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.”

Along with European Council President Antonio Costa, von der Leyen’s participation underlined the growing strategic importance of India-EU relations. Her visit comes at a crucial moment, as both sides prepare to push forward a comprehensive trade agreement that has been under discussion for years. The proposed pact, which has been described by leaders on both sides as the “mother of all deals,” is expected to reshape economic ties between India and the 27-nation European bloc.

Von der Leyen is scheduled to hold detailed talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, focusing on trade, investment, technology, climate cooperation and geopolitical challenges. India and the EU are also expected to announce a new long-term strategic roadmap covering the period from 2026 to 2030, aimed at deepening cooperation across multiple sectors.

The renewed push for the trade deal comes at a time of uncertainty in global commerce, especially amid changing tariff policies by the United States. European leaders have signalled that the EU wants to strengthen partnerships with fast-growing economies, and India stands out as a major priority in that strategy.

Speaking earlier at the World Economic Forum in Davos, von der Leyen had hinted that negotiations were entering a decisive phase. She said Europe was eager to engage more deeply with emerging economic powerhouses and stressed that India-EU ties could define global trade patterns in the coming decades.

Trade talks between India and the EU were first launched in 2007 but lost momentum and were paused in 2013. Negotiations resumed in 2022 with renewed political will on both sides. As part of the discussions, India is reportedly considering significant tariff reductions on certain European automobile imports, signalling flexibility to move the deal forward.