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Von der Leyen announces visit to India

Politico | 21January 2025

Von der Leyen announces visit to India

By Seb Starcevic

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will go to India for the first trip of her new term to shore up relations with the world’s largest democracy, she said Tuesday.

Speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, von der Leyen said Europe was an increasingly attractive partner from Africa to Asia.

“Hence, the first trip of my new Commission will be to India,” she said. “Together with Prime Minister [Narendra] Modi we want to upgrade the strategic partnership with the largest country and democracy in the world.”

The EU is keen to intensify talks on a trade agreement with India, especially now that protectionist U.S. President Donald Trump is back in the White House — although New Delhi is known to be a tough negotiating partner.

Von der Leyen’s announcement followed on the heels of a positive visit to Belgium by Indian Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal, during which he met European Trade Commissioner Maroš Šefčovič. The next round of talks on a free-trade agreement has been set for March 10-14 in Brussels.

Also attending the talks was World Trade Organization chief Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala — in an indication that discussions would have also focused on reviving stalled talks on reforms to the global trade body.

Trump’s reelection has galvanised von der Leyen into action on trade: She sealed a long-awaited deal with the Mercosur bloc of South American nations in December; the EU overhauled its trade accord with Mexico last week; and on Monday reactivated trade talks with Malaysia after a hiatus of more than a decade.


 source: Politico