'Transformational Moment': EU Officials Tell News18 India Partnership Set For Leap

Last Updated:January 23, 2026, 17:25 IST

Ahead of the 16th India-EU Summit, officials revealed that the two entities are on the cusp of finalising a historic 'Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030'

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who alongside European Council President António Costa will serve as the Chief Guest for India’s 77th Republic Day, has described the pending FTA as the 'mother of all deals'. File pic/PTI

In a major diplomatic overture ahead of the Republic Day celebrations, senior European Union officials have described the upcoming 16th India-EU Summit as a “transformational moment" for global geopolitics. Speaking with CNN-News18, officials revealed that the two entities are on the cusp of finalising a historic “Comprehensive Strategic Agenda for 2030", which will include the near-conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and the launch of a first-of-its-kind Security and Defence Partnership.

The ‘Mother of All Deals’

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, who alongside European Council President António Costa will serve as the Chief Guest for India’s 77th Republic Day, has described the pending FTA as the “mother of all deals". The agreement is expected to create a unified market of two billion people, accounting for nearly a quarter of the global GDP.

EU officials noted that while India currently accounts for only 2 per cent of the EU’s trade—compared to China’s 15 per cent—the FTA will provide the “predictability and market access" needed to diversify supply chains. The deal aims to reduce economic dependencies and foster cooperation in digital and clean technologies. Despite the optimism, negotiators are still ironing out “sensitive areas", including the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) and commitments to the Paris Agreement.

A New Defence and Security Pillar

For the first time, the EU and India will launch a formal Security and Defence Partnership during the visit. This pact is designed to:

Enhance Industrial Ties: Facilitate defence-related orders from Europe to India and encourage joint production on a case-by-case basis.

Strategic Interoperability: Focus on maritime security (including critical infrastructure and operations like Atalanta), counter-terrorism, and cyber defence.

Information Sharing: Launch negotiations for a Security of Information Agreement (SOIA) to allow the exchange of classified material.

Officials emphasised that while they are “aware of India’s historic relationship with Russia", they view India as a “reliable partner" and urge New Delhi to use its leverage to help achieve peace in Europe, where the ongoing war is viewed as an “existential threat".

Mobility, Connectivity, and Counter-Terrorism

A key deliverable of the summit will be a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Mobility, designed to facilitate the legal entry of Indian workers, students, and researchers into the EU. This framework aims to address Europe’s labour needs while supporting India’s development priorities.

On the regional front, the EU officials confirmed that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) remains a priority despite being “impacted by developments in the Middle East." Furthermore, the EU remains in a “strong dialogue" with India regarding cross-border terrorism from Pakistan, with plans to discuss the issue further during the delegation’s stay. By endorsing the new five-year strategic agenda, both sides hope to anchor stability in the Indo-Pacific and reinforce a multilateral world order.

News world 'Transformational Moment': EU Officials Tell News18 India Partnership Set For Leap

Read More