NEW DELHI, Jan 24: European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrived in India on January 24 for a State Visit, during which she, along with European Council President Antonio Luis Santos da Costa, will attend India’s 77th Republic Day celebrations as a Chief Guest.
The visit is seen as a major milestone in India–EU relations, reflecting growing strategic engagement between the two sides. Upon arrival, von der Leyen was received by Minister of State for Commerce and Industry and Electronics and Information Technology, Jitin Prasada.
The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) highlighted the partnership between India and the EU as one rooted in mutual trust, shared democratic values, and strategic cooperation.
Earlier on the same day, European Union High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President Kaja Kallas arrived in New Delhi on her first official visit to India.
The MEA described her visit as timely, aimed at further consolidating the India–EU Strategic Partnership amid intensified high-level engagements between the two sides.
Ahead of the State Visit, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar met with ambassadors from EU member countries, discussing the current global environment marked by volatility and instability.
He emphasized that closer India–EU collaboration could help stabilise the global order through resilient supply chains, trade and investment, humanitarian assistance, anti-piracy efforts, and development cooperation.
Jaishankar also stressed that the partnership would contribute to providing global public goods and addressing international challenges in a rapidly shifting geopolitical landscape.
During their visit, von der Leyen and Costa will co-chair the 16th India–EU Summit on January 27. The leaders are scheduled to meet President Droupadi Murmu and hold both restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi. An India–EU Business Forum is also planned on the sidelines of the summit, underlining the economic and trade dimensions of the partnership.
The MEA stated that these high-level visits underscore the strategic significance of the India–EU relationship, particularly in the context of global uncertainty. Both sides aim to deepen cooperation across political, economic, security, and cultural areas, while reinforcing shared democratic values and advancing mutual interests.
The engagements highlight India and the EU’s commitment to further strengthening their ties, enhancing bilateral cooperation, and addressing common global challenges, establishing them as pivotal partners in regional and global affairs. (PTI)
