Overview
- Multiple outlets report Ursula von der Leyen and António Costa are likely to attend as Republic Day chief guests, with an official announcement still awaited.
- Their trip is expected to align with an India–EU summit focused on moving the long-pending free trade agreement toward conclusion.
- India and the EU held technical discussions in New Delhi from Dec. 3–9, with negotiators reporting progress across several chapters.
- Of 23 chapters under negotiation, 11 are closed, while sensitive areas remain on carbon border rules, market access for autos and steel, rules of origin, and parts of services and investment.
- NDTV Profit reports Goyal’s Brussels meetings are intended to resolve political and trade-sensitive issues ahead of a possible Republic Day–timed announcement.