Modi, EU leaders push for early implementation of historic Free Trade Agreement
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi/Evian (France), June 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi on June 17 held bilateral talks with European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen on the sidelines of the G7 Summit in Evian, with the leaders welcoming the conclusion of negotiations for the India-European Union Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and calling for its early signing and implementation.
The meeting came less than five months after the landmark 16th India-EU Summit held in New Delhi in January 2026, which marked a major turning point in bilateral ties. During the summit, the two sides had adopted a Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda aimed at deepening cooperation across trade, technology, connectivity, security, clean energy and people-to-people exchanges.
India and the European Union have witnessed a steady expansion of their strategic partnership in recent years. Negotiations for a comprehensive trade agreement, which had remained stalled for nearly a decade after their suspension in 2013, were revived in 2022 amid changing geopolitical realities and growing efforts by both sides to diversify supply chains and reduce excessive dependence on any single market.
The successful conclusion of the FTA negotiations, finalised earlier this year, is being viewed as one of the most significant milestones in India-EU relations and is expected to substantially boost bilateral trade and investment.
According to the Ministry of External Affairs, Modi, Costa and von der Leyen welcomed the progress achieved in bilateral ties since the January summit and described the trade pact as a historic achievement. They emphasised the importance of expeditiously signing and implementing the agreement, noting that it would create vast opportunities for businesses and contribute to more resilient and diversified global supply chains in the current uncertain geopolitical environment.
Highlighting that India and the European Union are the world’s two largest democracies with open market economies and pluralistic societies, the leaders reaffirmed that the relationship is anchored in trust, shared values and a common vision for the future.
The three leaders reviewed progress made under the Joint India-EU Comprehensive Strategic Agenda and expressed confidence that it would further strengthen the strategic partnership and deliver mutually beneficial and transformative outcomes.
They also exchanged views on regional and global developments and welcomed recent developments in West Asia. Reiterating their commitment to a resilient multipolar world order, the leaders underscored the need to promote peace, stability, prosperity and sustainable development.
The meeting reflected the growing importance of the India-EU partnership at a time when both sides are seeking to enhance economic resilience and strengthen cooperation amid rising geopolitical uncertainties.
