Overview
- European Council President António Costa and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen will make a state visit to India on January 25–27 and serve as Chief Guests at the Republic Day parade on January 26.
- The two leaders will co-chair the 16th India–EU Summit in New Delhi on January 27, meeting President Droupadi Murmu and holding restricted and delegation-level talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
- India’s Commerce Secretary said 20 of 24 chapters of the proposed India–EU free trade agreement have been closed, with negotiators working daily to resolve remaining issues ahead of the leaders’ meeting.
- Officials and reports indicate the summit is expected to advance a Security and Defence Partnership alongside agreements on security of information, maritime security, cyber defence, and protection of undersea infrastructure.
- An India–EU Business Forum is expected on the summit’s sidelines, and the EU noted this will be the first time the bloc’s top leaders attend India’s Republic Day parade as guests of honour.