New Delhi, September 4: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, reaffirming the shared commitment to conclude the long-pending India-EU Free Trade Agreement (FTA) negotiations at the earliest and to implement the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC).
The leaders reviewed progress in bilateral cooperation across key sectors including trade, investment, technology, innovation, sustainability, defence, security, and supply chain resilience. PM Modi also extended invitations to Costa and von der Leyen to visit India for the next India-EU Summit, underlining the importance of advancing the Strategic Partnership.
They also exchanged views on regional and global challenges, particularly efforts to bring an end to the ongoing Ukraine conflict. Reiterating India’s consistent stance, PM Modi expressed support for a peaceful resolution and early restoration of stability in the region.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the leaders highlighted the “strong relationship built on trust, shared values, and a common vision for the future,” and emphasized the role of the India-EU partnership in fostering stability and promoting a rules-based global order.
Building on the historic visit of the EU College of Commissioners to India in February, both sides agreed to schedule the next summit in India at a mutually convenient date.
Earlier in June, PM Modi had held discussions with Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Canada, describing the conversations as productive and fruitful. Around the same time, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar also met von der Leyen in Brussels, appreciating her strong condemnation of the Pahalgam terror attack and reaffirming EU solidarity with India against terrorism.
