Overview
- European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen and European Council President António Costa are in India for Republic Day and the Jan. 27 EU–India summit.
- Officials say free trade agreement negotiations are in the last mile, with an announcement of conclusion expected now and formal signature and European Parliament ratification to follow.
- Talks have narrowed differences on tricky files, with remaining issues cited on the EU carbon border measure’s impact on steel and alignment on pharmaceutical and automotive standards, while agriculture and dairy stay largely outside concessions.
- Leaders plan to pair the trade announcement with a five‑year comprehensive strategic agenda, a security and defence partnership, and a mobility framework for students, researchers, seasonal workers and highly skilled professionals.
- Bilateral commerce remains significant, with €120 billion in goods and about €60 billion in services in 2024, as both sides seek supply‑chain resilience and broader geopolitical diversification.