EU–India Ties “Limitless”, Modi’s “Not Era Of War” Echoes EU Values: Envoy

The EU–India partnership is “limitless, ambitious and progressive” and has been elevated to a “totally new level” in both qualitative and strategic terms, European Union Ambassador Hervé Delphin has said, highlighting deepening economic, political and strategic convergence between the two sides.

Speaking at a Europe Day event, Delphin said the recent EU–India summit held about three and a half months ago marked a major milestone, where “symbolism, substance and strategic significance” came together to produce “momentous outcomes”. He said the relationship has now been placed on a new trajectory due to strong political conviction and trust shared by leaders on both sides.

Key outcomes of the summit included the unveiling of a joint strategic agenda for the next five years , progress on an ambitious Free Trade Agreement (FTA) , signing of a security and defence partnership pact , and advancement of a comprehensive framework on mobility. He said these developments reflect the growing depth and scale of cooperation between the EU and India.

Delphin emphasised that the Free Trade Agreement has been described as the “mother of all trade deals” and expressed confidence that it would significantly boost economic ties. The EU is already India’s largest trading partner in goods, with bilateral trade in FY 2024–25 valued at around USD 136 billion , including exports worth about USD 76 billion and imports of USD 60 billion. He added that with the FTA in place, two-way trade is expected to double in the coming years .

Highlighting the EU’s economic footprint, the envoy cited that around 6,000 EU companies operate in India, generating nearly six million jobs and contributing significantly to global supply chains. He said this reflects the strength of the EU–India economic partnership and its role in global prosperity.

Delphin also underlined the strategic alignment between the two sides, stating that both are “global forces for good” committed to stability, prosperity and cooperation. He noted that the presence of top European leaders at India’s Republic Day parade and the summit further underscored the growing importance of the relationship.

On global geopolitics, the envoy referred to Russia’s war in Ukraine, calling it a “war of aggression” that has caused immense human suffering and economic loss. He reiterated the EU’s continued support for Ukraine and a just and lasting peace.

He further said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message that this is “not an era of war” “deeply resonates” with European values and identity. Describing the EU as fundamentally a peace project , Delphin said it was built on the rejection of centuries of continental conflict.

He concluded that the deepening of EU–India ties represents a “Europe–India moment” of historic significance, driven by shared values, strategic trust and expanding economic engagement.