EU aims to finalize free trade deal negotiations with India by year-end

By Melike Pala

BRUSSELS (AA) - EU Council President Antonio Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen held a phone call on Thursday with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to discuss EU-India relations and ongoing international developments.

"Looking ahead, we plan to agree on a joint strategic agenda at the next EU–India summit, as early as possible in 2026," Costa wrote on US social media company X.

Costa highlighted the EU's commitment to concluding the Free Trade Agreement negotiations with India by the end of the year. "To achieve this, progress is needed now," he added.

The EU leaders underscored the importance of engaging with Modi and welcomed India’s continued dialogue with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Costa and von der Leyen noted that the conflict in Ukraine has global security implications and threatens economic stability, representing a risk to the entire world.