EU Chief Ursula von der Leyen Vows to Finalise EU–India Trade Pact by Year-End

By A Staff Reporter

BRUSSELS: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on Tuesday reaffirmed the European Union’s commitment to strengthening ties with India, announcing that both sides are working to conclude a long-pending trade agreement by the end of this year.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), von der Leyen wrote: “Now is the time to double down on partnerships rooted in shared interests and guided by common values. With our new EU–India strategy, we are taking our relationship to the next level. And we are committed to finalising our trade agreement by end of the year.”

The EU and India have been engaged in negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and investment protection pact, which aim to expand market access, boost investment flows, and deepen cooperation in critical areas such as digital economy, green energy, and supply chain resilience.

Diplomatic observers note that the push for an accelerated conclusion comes amid shifting global trade dynamics, with both India and the EU seeking to diversify markets and reduce dependency on single regions.