European Union to pursue trade deal with India to reduce its ties to Russia

The European Union (EU) plans to relaunch trade talks with India in an attempt to give the South Asian nation a viable alternative to diversify away from Russia, according to a senior official familiar with the plans.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is on a two-day visit to India.

In addition to trade, the EU will pursue a technology council with India that could include discussions on the general data protection regulation, social media and broader digitalization efforts, said the official, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private.

Before embarking on the visit to India, the European