While PM Narendra Modi and visiting European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will look to boost ongoing efforts for an
India-EU Free Trade Agreement
(FTA), both sides are also likely to discuss ways to formalise defence and security cooperation in the Indo-Pacific. This is of particular interest to India as it encourages the EU to become more involved in the region, in favour of freedom, transparency and a rules-based order.
As the EU leader landed Thursday, describing India as a friend and a strategic ally, government sources here said the visit had been in the works for the past 6 months, or since both leaders were re-elected last year, and has nothing to do with the EU’s strained alliance with the US under President Donald Trump. On her third visit to India, von der Leyen is accompanied by the EU College of Commissioners.
According to Indian authorities, the visit will see significant progress in efforts to ramp up cooperation in areas like technology, particularly AI, green energy, space and defence, even if no major agreement is signed after the meeting that will be followed by a joint statement. Modi’s engagement with von der Leyen and the second meeting of the India-EU Trade and Technology Council during the visit is expected to clear the path for the India-EU summit later this year.
Ahead of the talks, official sources here said the EU is showing interest in defence cooperation with India in the Indo-Pacific and the 2 sides have had “informal coordination” between their forces so far. “We might have discussions to formalise this cooperation,’’ said a government source, speaking on condition of anonymity. EU adopted an
Indo-Pacific strategy
in 2021, and has since worked to enhance its engagement with like-minded countries in the region, but it’s often seen as lacking coherence.
Significantly though, in 2023, it appointed a military adviser in India for the first time. According to the Indian government, India and EU are strengthening their defence cooperation under the EU co-funded Enhancing Security Cooperation In and With Asia (ESIWA) programme and it’s expected to come up for further discussions on Friday. They have also conducted joint naval exercise in the past, like in the Gulf of Guinea in 2023
In an interview to TOI ahead of her arrival, von der Leyen sought a reinforcement of the EU’s defence and security cooperation with India, saying it will work with India and other countries to uphold the rules-based order in the region. While discussing Europe’s focus on Ukraine, external affairs minister S Jaishankar has on several occasions accused the West of looking the other way when the same order was under stress in the Indo-Pacific.
Modi and von der Leyen will also discuss recent developments related to Ukraine, particularly Trump’s talks with Russia to end the war in which he didn’t involve either Europe or Ukraine. The EU leader is expected to engage India on the issue, while briefing Modi about her visit to Kyiv this week, Indian officials here reiterated India’s position: both parties must resort to dialogue and diplomacy as no solution can be found on the battlefield.
On Friday, the 2 sides will have a plenary session that will be chaired by von der Leyen and Modi, while the College Members will also meet their counterparts individually. According to the EU, India is its largest trading partner, with trade in goods valued at €124 billion in 2023.
