India and the European Union are giving a “fractured world” an alternative, said EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, even as the EU trade commissioner announced that negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) are “nearing conclusion” at the beginning of the EU delegation’s visit to Delhi. While the FTA will be watched most closely, in terms of bilateral gains for both countries, it is the timing of the Summit, amidst unprecedented transatlantic tensions between the EU and the United States over territorial issues and trade, that is most significant.
“India and Europe have made a clear choice… strategic partnership, dialogue and openness,” said Ms. Von Der Leyen in a social media post. We are showing a fractured world that another way is possible,” she added.
Ahead of key Delhi summit, EU leaders to begin India visit; to be chief guests at Republic Day function
Ms. von der Leyen arrived in Delhi on Saturday (January 24, 2026), after a tense week at the World Economic Forum conference at Davos, where many European leaders sparred with U.S. President Donald Trump over his claims on Greenland and tariff threats. Prior to that, the EU leadership was in Paraguay to sign a major EU-MERCOSUR FTA between European and South American countries.
