European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen arrives in Delhi

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen landed in Delhi on Saturday, marking the start of her four-day visit aimed at strengthening and expanding the India-EU partnership through major agreements and strategic initiatives.

The visit comes at a time when global trade and security concerns have intensified amid the uncertainty caused by the Trump administration’s shifting policies. The EU delegation is expected to pursue a deeper economic and strategic partnership with India, focusing on long-term cooperation.

Von der Leyen will be joined by European Council President Antonio Costa , who is scheduled to arrive in the national capital on Sunday. Both leaders will attend the Republic Day celebrations as chief guests on January 26.

The highlight of the visit will be the India-EU summit with Prime Minister Narendra Modi on January 27. During the summit, India and the EU are expected to announce the long-awaited Free Trade Agreement (FTA) , which has been in negotiations for years. The two sides are also expected to finalise a strategic defence partnership and a mobility framework for Indian professionals , potentially opening new opportunities for skilled Indian workers in the EU.

At the airport, Union Minister Jitin Prasada welcomed von der Leyen, underscoring the growing importance of the India-EU relationship. External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal said on X: “Charting the next phase of the India-EU Strategic partnership. A warm welcome to the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen on her State Visit to India.”

He added, “As the world’s two largest democracies, India and the EU share a partnership rooted in mutual trust and shared values.”

India-EU ties have been strengthening in recent years, especially in trade and investment. The EU is India’s largest trading partner in goods , with total trade valued at around USD 136 billion in 2024-25 . Indian exports to the EU stood at approximately USD 76 billion , while imports were around USD 60 billion during the same period.

Ursula von der Leyen is a veteran German politician and the first woman to hold the office of European Commission President , taking charge in 2019. Before leading the EU executive body, she served in the German federal government for over a decade, holding key portfolios such as Defence , Labour and Social Affairs , and Family Affairs . Known for her focus on green transition, digital transformation, and strategic autonomy, von der Leyen has played a central role in shaping EU policies on climate, technology, and defence.